Rosa Parks

Definition

Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist, best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. By refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, Parks became a symbol of resistance against racial segregation and injustice, igniting a movement that sought to achieve civil rights and liberties for African Americans in the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rosa Parks was arrested on December 1, 1955, after refusing to give up her bus seat, which led to her becoming an icon of the civil rights movement.
2. Her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was organized by Martin Luther King Jr. and lasted for over a year.
3. Parks was not just a seamstress; she had been active in civil rights long before her arrest, serving as a secretary for the NAACP in Montgomery.
4. The boycott resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional.
5. Rosa Parks is often called 'the mother of the civil rights movement' for her courage and the impact of her actions on advancing civil liberties.

Review Questions

• How did Rosa Parks' actions influence the Civil Rights Movement and mobilize communities against segregation?
  • Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat challenged the status quo of racial segregation and demonstrated the power of individual resistance. Her arrest galvanized African Americans in Montgomery and across the nation, leading to widespread support for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This event marked a significant turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring other acts of civil disobedience and highlighting the need for systemic change.
• Evaluate the impact of the Montgomery Bus Boycott on subsequent civil rights activism in America.
  • The Montgomery Bus Boycott had a profound impact on civil rights activism by demonstrating the effectiveness of nonviolent protest and grassroots organizing. It not only successfully desegregated Montgomery's buses but also inspired similar movements across the country. The boycott established Martin Luther King Jr. as a prominent leader and laid the groundwork for future civil rights initiatives aimed at achieving broader equality and justice.
• Discuss how Rosa Parks' legacy continues to resonate in contemporary social justice movements.
  • Rosa Parks' legacy continues to resonate today as a symbol of courage and resistance against injustice. Her story inspires modern social justice movements addressing issues like racial inequality, police brutality, and voting rights. Activists draw upon her example of standing up against oppression, showing that individual actions can lead to collective change. Parks' life and work remind us that the fight for civil rights is ongoing and that everyone has a role to play in advocating for equality.

Related terms

Montgomery Bus Boycott: A 381-day mass protest against racial segregation on public buses in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked by Rosa Parks' arrest.

Civil Rights Movement: A decades-long struggle for social justice and equal rights for African Americans, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s.

NAACP: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, an organization founded in 1909 that played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, including legal challenges against segregation.