Rosa Parks set a courageous example
Re “She Set Wheels of Justice in
Motion,” obituary, Oct. 25
Today we think of civil rights marches as large-scale events, like the Million Man March. As they say, there is safety and strength in numbers. What made Rosa Parks’ act of defiance so incredible was that she was just a solitary, tired, 42-year-old seamstress who refused to give up her bus seat to a Southern white man, a courageous act that could have easily gotten her beaten up or killed.
Obviously, her convictions were stronger than her sense of safety. Her brave, selfless act that day helped free an oppressed group and change the seat of power from racist Southern governments to the common people.
KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN
Huntington Beach
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Coming to work this morning, this image came to mind: After entering heaven and being met by the heavenly host, Rosa Parks is first offered a seat.
The next time I hear someone say, “I’m just one person, what can I do?” I will tell them the story of Rosa Parks. She helped change the world.
MARK SPIEGEL
Torrance
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