How many years ago did we assign seats for adults in America? Fewer than a hundred. Even now in some places across the world, we essentially still observe this practice. In my opinion, I think it is absurd and outdated; I think it never deserved a place in society.
Why should skin complexion enter the equation? It is a characteristic or detail in which we as individuals have no control over. I sugjest you please think about that fact some and recognize the absurdity for what it is. I encourage us to consider valuing one another based on what we each can control, like our choices and our treatment of others. I also encourage you to value yourself based on these same things. I sugjest you reflect on your own choices and treatment of yourself in case that needs to be clearly said for anyone.
He [or she] who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.
-Muhammad Ali
I only briefly alluded to it in the last post towards the end, but I think we should focus on respecting the guardrails through any and all of our efforts as much as possible. We should practice courage from within the context of our own lane, and I think Rosa Parks embodied this sentiment perfectly. This Thanksday, I choose to express my extreme thankfulness for the “mother of the civil rights movement.” Not even 75 years ago, on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks chose to practice so much courage. When the public bus driver saw white people standing on the bus while black people were still seated, the bus driver asked (or ordered?) the seated black folks to relinquish their better spots to the white folks. Rosa refused to give up her spot to a white man that day on that public bus.
Besides, whatever happened to ladies first, huh? :)
Without a struggle, there can be no progress.
-Frederick Douglass
Now, she was not the first person in the age of segregation to take such a courageous stand (or seat) in the face of injustice, but she was the one who kicked off a movement that would change America forever. Within four days of her being arrested and fined for her act of courage, a boycott of the buses began. This boycott was no short-term event. Instead of fizzling out in a strong rage over a short period of time, this organized, efficient, and effective effort persisted for 381 days. Over that year plus, additional communities beyond Montgomery, Alabama chose to get involved, too. Instead of irrational violence justifying insurance payments to offset damages, not truly driving a lasting lesson home, this powerful play proved economically impactful in a proper way. Their non-violent protest produced the permanent desegregation of city buses in Montgomery, Alabama.
Courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.
-Michelle Obama
Rosa had plenty of reasons growing up to give into fear. Her grandfather would not sleep at night to keep a watch out for possible sneak attacks from Klan members since they lived and grew up in the Deep South. She got involved in various civil rights groups like the NAACP, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Rosa was closely connected with Martin Luther King, Jr. who helped to start the boycott of buses. By patiently and persistently working for the right things in the right ways, Rosa Parks chose to courageously live her life as an example of how we can all thrive peacefully.
Courage is contagious. When a brave man [or woman] takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
-Billy Graham
I think we can all learn a lot from Rosa Parks, and that is why I am thankful for her. It is so easy in this day and age to give into the fear that appears to pervade our peripheries. However, with conscious choices and bits of effort, we can practice courage in small parts and places; we can let it gradually build over time. We can continue to tend to our lane as best as we can while courageously defending it. If we see an opportunity to help another person with their lane, then we should offer courageous support. Maybe they will accept it, or maybe they will not. Their choice should not stop us from still courageously trying.
We must have courage – determination – to go on with the task of becoming free – not only for ourselves, but for the nation and the world.
-Rosa Parks
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell. Stay courageous, y’all :) <3