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This article beautifully highlights the life of Rosa Parks and provides background information on both her life and the image in question. This article provides a story and a narrative of the life of Rosa Parks and how she triumphed and advanced the civil rights movement and her legacy remains everlasting today and for the future. The site provides background information on the image that we observed in this unit as it includes it within the context of the story and provides the information in that the image was a staged portrait for Look magazine of Rosa Parks in front of a bus in December of 1956. The finding represents the notion of both femininity and the impact of the civil rights movement.

This site gives detailed information about the actual events that led up to the decision by Rosa Parks to defy the "back of the bus" rule. It also shows a picture of the bus on which this event took place. Interestingly it covers why "busing" was so integral to the whole idea of racial injustice in the South and the reason why the bus boycott was such a symbolic action towards Civil Rights.

What Rosa Parks did in 1955 was huge for African Americans; however, she was not the first to stand her ground and not get up from her seat. There were others that were brave, but they did not receive the notoriety that Ms. Parks received. Rosa's status as a civil rights activist made her the perfect African American to fight this cause. I say that she was perfect to fight the cause because other black leaders thought that she could gain white support. With white support, along with other black activists including Dr. King a boycott was started. I personally think that instead of a boycott, black people should have worked together to start their own bus company. Instead of trying to prove that blacks were equal to whites, I feel blacks during that time should have been trying to create their own. In my opinion black people would be better off today.

I was really excited to have come across this document. It is a primary source from the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), written shortly after bus segregation was deemed unconstitutional in 1956. The text reads as a list, for those who followed the MIA, on how to continue to act and conduct themselves in light of the recent changes to law. One line stands out, "Demonstrate the calm dignity of our Montgomery people in your actions." It makes me think of Ms. Parks in the image that was taken, and keeping in mind how it had been said before that she was of outstanding character, the quote resonates with me in that I see her as something of a model for everyone else to follow at the time.

Rosa Parks is quoted as saying, "I thought about Emmett Till, and I could not go back. My legs and feet were not hurting, that is a stereotype. I paid the same fare as others, and I felt violated." Many of us know about the story of Emmitt Till, and plenty of us do not. The year of 1955 and prior year's race was largely marginalized by class, but probably more by nationality, as Roderick A. Ferguson states in his excerpt "Race. Queer formations are excepted when one is white but not queers of color. According to freedom's relation to unfreedom to modern ethics, different permutation of morality continue to shape social formations (Roderick A. Ferguson). To Emmitt Till, a 14 year old African American teenager, I find that this was and still is the case in the year of 2013. I won't go into detail of how this young boy on vacation was damaged, but his murder and the trial became largely energy serge for moral courage, that Mrs. Park's used along with other ill treatment's she experienced to stand her ground. The Emmett Till case was a spark for a new generation to commit their lives to social change; as stated by historian Robin Kelley. Robin Kelley also states that the case was not just about the murder of a teenage boy, but about transforming the south so that no one would have to die like Mr. Till. Civil rights activists used the murder of Emmett Till as a rallying cry for civil rights protest, transforming a monstrous crime into a springboard for justice. The Montgomery Bus Boycott followed closely on the heels of the case. This site adds to this platform the importance of understanding how history can spark reactions in our society, and further shape our society. Heidi Beckles

This page on the NBC news website offers a surprising twist to the story of the Civil Rights Movement. It brings up a great point, why is Rosa Parks one of the only women we know about as an icon of that era? Racial equality was being fought for by those in the Civil Rights movement but what about gender equality? This story gives us more to think about when we look at the image of Rosa Parks and the white man on the bus.

The US Supreme Court to the case of Rosa Park's, actually never got a chance to hear Mrs. Park's case. Rosa Park's was arrested on charges of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and appeared before judge John B Scoot. Her lawyer Fred Gray, immediately filled an appeal, but then realized that her case would not be upheld in the Alabama court system for years. Although Mrs. Park's case did not make it to the Supreme Court, her experience on the Montgomery Bus, largely aided the African American community to organize the bus boycott.  Four attorney's decided on a strategy in dealing with the bus segregation issues. Fred Gray, Thurgood Marshall, Robert Carter and Charles Langford, with a plan of action approached three other women (Aurelia Browder, Claudette Colvin, Susie McDonald and Mary Louise Smith). These women had also experienced abuse form the Montgomery bus system.  The women became plaintiffs in a federal civil action law against the city and Mayor W.A. Gayle. Affirming the District Court ruling without issuing a written opinion, the US Supreme Court denied the cities petition. Racial segregation on buses within state boundaries became outlawed, the city of Montgomery received an official order to desegregate buses in 1956. Although the four attorneys, and including the other four women may have provided legal change, this write up point out how Mrs. Park's determination, dignity and courage catalyzed the national Civil Rights Movement.  Heidi Beckles 

This page from the United Tribune website reports the story behind the photo of Rosa Parks that we are studying this week. While I realized that the photo was staged, I did not know that the man seated behind Rosa Parks was a reporter (Nicholas C. Chriss) who worked for the United Press. The page gives some important background information about what the photograph is meant to represent.

Because of Rosa Park's fearless defiance towards the bus driver that placed her in jail, an act that was a social norm at this time, the NAACP was able to take on her case with success of getting it to the Supreme Court, to end these segregation laws, which forced people of color to yield to people of white skin whenever a seat is needed. The individuals which were part of the NAACP and The Women's Political Council were powerful in drafting three demands for the bus company: that seating is available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis; that drivers conduct themselves with greater civility to black passengers; and that black drivers are hired for predominately black routes. On refusal of the bus company to comply with the stated demands as I've pointed out above, the Montgomery Improvement Association was formed and elected as president was Martin Luther King. With subsequent campaigns by King, the boycott lasted a whole year. King defended injunction of the M-I-A. Rosa Park's case was ruled in favor by the Supreme Court, and on the 21 of December 1956 bus segregation had ended. Martin Luther King joined Ralph Abernathy and other boycott leaders for a ride on the first desegregated bus. This site is useful to this image because it points out the rigorous and at times dangerous processes in fighting for equality. It is also useful because it briefly explained in this era the leaders involved like Mr. King and Mr. Abernathy. I have always thought that Mrs. Parks fought the battle of jail time and making a difference in her time mostly by herself.

It takes a lot of courage to stand up for something that is morally right, especially in a time when standing for what's right was not popular, due to the results that would follow after. Rosa Parks in the year of 1955, as many know it, kept sitting to stand up for what's right, and furthermore human rights. Although she was jailed and fined, her bravery helped society in many ways, like the end of the segregated transportation law posed by Jim Crow. Mrs. Parks did not care about the odds against her nor the criticism; in an era of ample bias against people of color. This sites content is useful in exploring week two's image of race in America, because it places focus on how change "can" happen with just one person, in the toughest of social times. A focus on courage not just for self help but for all (as Mrs. Parks was a member of the NAACP; an organization up in arms with the Jim Crow laws) who were the victims and the conscious or unconscious offenders, a social movement that was another zenith to the ascent of man. Heidi Beckles

Today, we can look back and say: "It was worth it." However, be sure to know that the effort Rosa Parks made was changed many things in the world. Locally, it gave African Americans rights. It eliminated segregation between whites and blacks, it reduced the lynching of blacks by racial organizations. (i.e. Ku Klux Klan) Rosa Parks actions enacted law protecting the civil rights of African Americas and later on served as basis of creating more laws, even as far as protecting women's rights. Even though many things have changed and many bottles have been fought and won; we still are not there. Thank you Rosa Parks for your courage in really trouble times.

On October 25, 2005, the New York Times released an in-depth article on Rosa Parks - she had passed. This article delved into the history of her iconic image and her story, from seamstress to rebel to civil rights leader. Every story, article, dedication, etc. is different as no one feels exactly the same as the next, nor do they all have to same resources and references. The NY Times' article included a bit of everything, from her birth & childhood to her education, her personal life, and her thoughts on the late Dr. King. This article supported that her heroic action was not meant to be an act of straight defiance, but of a grown individual trying to show that all people are on the same level.

Although Rosa Parks incident ignited the Montgomery Bus Boycott there were many other incidents that led also led to the boycott. Many blacks as well as Parks became tired of the mistreatment and unfairness. This site brings forth others who experienced discrimination on the bus. Parks is the "face" of the infamous Montgomery Bus Boycott. Before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, blacks organized a bus boycott in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mobile Alabama

This website talks about Rosa Parks humble beginnings ans how there were other supporters behind her who were willing to risk their lives to defending the cause. Some of these supporters were 'white.' Clifford and Virginia Durr, encouraged Rosa Parks to go to school and sponsored the long stay. This was the basis for learning who to strategically protest without being or using violence. Then, the real meaning is that Rosa Parks was the front person for other people who believe in equality, and the freedom of other. Rosa Parks endured a great deal of problems for her action, some of them legal, Rosa Parks violated the 'white law of segregation", but it was well worth it. The world benefited.

This site tells all who and what organizations were involved in origanizing the boycott. It shows how origanized and well put together their plan was. It moved efficienty and seamlessly. Over 90% of the blacks participated in the boycott finding alternative transportation, including carpooling. In the end, the blacks have overcome and was successful in obtaining equality on the bus. This boycott gave way for the whole civil rights movement.

This website shows that presently in America, we still have to endure some form of segregation and that when the opportunity arises; we use Rosa Parks to make a case. We are able to show through art that we have come a long way in fighting for our rights. Rosa Parks can be cited in anything that is wrong from the perspective of equality or simply fighting for what we think should be right, I have to say that we do not even have to display anger or disappointment, but we can express our opposition through art.

This site is a publication in which uses an excerpt from the book Free At Last: The U.S. Civil Rights Movement. This excerpt focuses on Rosa Parks, who's also known as the Mother of Civil Rights. This site provides us with a brief biography of Rosa's life. It speaks of her role in Montgomery Bus Boycott and what shaped her as a child to become a quiet activist. Later in life, Parks was acknowledged and presented with an award by President Bill Clinton. When Parks died in 2005, her body was approved by Congress to rotunda of the US Capitol. Parks is the first women, second black person, and the 31st person granted this honor.

This website not only discusses how Rosa Parks helped African Americans, but how she also helped women. In those days, women weren't allowed to do much as it was. Rosa Parks changed that in some way when she stood up to a white man on a bus. Rosa Parks single handedly changed the bus rules where African Americans were not only allowed to ride the bus and sit anywhere, but were allowed to apply for jobs as drivers as well. This website is useful in exploring the image because it shows you how one woman had an effect on an entire race. The website even uses the image on it's main page.

Rosa Parks is considered not only hero, but an African American woman who stood up to injustice and decided to take a peaceful stand against segregation. Rosa Parks gave African Americans a sense of dignity that was soon reaffirmed by being able to ride the bus, just like the "whites" did. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was able to use Rosa Park's actions as a platform to claim freedom and equality. This action, caused the African Americans to start realizing that they were equal to the whites. This gave them a sense of entitlement and lead to other movements that benefited all human beings, not only in the United States of America, but all over the world. This "woman" is truly a hero. Walking alone the street in Montgomery county, just like the whites did, was a triumph step towards equality.

Rosa Parks is a hero! Her unintended action created the basis for the civil right movement and encourage other activist to walk under her shadow to succeed in fighting for equality. African Americans benefited from her action, which was very dignified. Humble beginning, and some much to offer to the world.

This site is a tribute to Rosa Parks for her 100th birthday. In chronological order, it list 100 facts about her life.. spanning from childhood and beyond her death. It list details of the Montgomery Bus Boycott as well as all her accomplishments and awards she has received even after death. What's amazing about this site is that you have all these facts listed about Rosa, some famously known and some that are barely known. Its a one stop shop site all about Rosa Parks.

This website dives into the early life of Rosa Parks. It really gives you a sense of the type of hard working and driven woman she was. She had to drop out of school to take care of family. She was a hard working seamstress who never did harm to anyone. One day she finally had to stand up for herself. This website relates to the photo because even in the photo you can see how calm and collected of a person she was. However, as we all know she was a tough cookie and stood up for herself.