Dang.

[wednes]

DETROIT (Reuters) - Rosa Parks, the black seamstress whose refusal to give her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white man sparked a revolution in American race relations, died on Monday at age 92.

Shirley Kaigler, Parks' lawyer, said she died while taking a nap early on Monday evening surrounded by a small group of friends and family members.

"She just fell asleep and didn't wake up," Kaigler said.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Parks had fought a long battle with dementia.

Kaigler said Parks was at home in an apartment complex overlooking the Detroit River and the border with Ontario, Canada, when she died.

I met Rosa Parks once when I was still a college student. I remember that she was most unassuming, very friendly and pleased that some students had come to see her. After she was robbed in, I think, 1993, I received card from her family in response to the card I sent wishing her well. Like everyone else (except my wierd friend Finster) I was horrified that someone would beat up and rob Rosa Parks.

For the record, I don't think she meant to inspire people into political and social rebellion, I think she was just tired and wanted to sit down. Being on your feet all day sucks. And I think some rebellion would have come along sooner or later. Seriously, how long were people going to put up with Klansmen on judicial benches and cops beating-up people just because they are black? Okay, I guess that still happens, but many more people are outraged when they find out about it. My point is, she was held up as an example of fighting the man and she inspired a lot of people to do likewise. We should all make such an impact on people, just by doing what we do everyday.

Comments

[madush69.livejournal.com]

She made a huge difference with one simple act. She will be missed. That had to be pretty neat to meet her.

[klynnfrost.livejournal.com]

I miss you.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I'll see you Saturday!

[nate101000.livejournal.com]

Do you need a ride?

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I should think I will ride out there with Ryan and Katie.

[fflo.livejournal.com]

I was hearing today on the radio that she wasn't particularly tired that day, although that's the story that you hear---I heard a tape of her debunking it, in fact. She'd been training in nonviolent civil disobedience and knew exactly what she was doing. And she did it well, too, as it turns out.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I guess it would be safer for her to let people think it was an innocent gesture. I appreciate the correction.

[nate101000.livejournal.com]

That's funny. I heard her in an interview from 1980 saying that she was tired and just didn't feel like moving. But they also pointed out that many similar arrests were happening around that time. Rosa Parks was just an incredibly sympathetic victim. I'm sure there were plenty of teenagers getting arrested for violating segregation laws. But a small middle aged woman really hits people.

Like the Scopes trial on evolution. Nearly the whole thing was planned.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

You mean...Darren Stevens lied to us?

[nate101000.livejournal.com]

Of course he did. You can't trust him! He's a fag! Or was that the other Darren Stevens?

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I forget now. I think the first one was gay but not the second. Ever notice how the gay guys on TV always end up with hot bonde wives? Robert Reed, anyone?

John Goodman: straight.
Tim Allen: straight
Jerry Stiller: straight