Rosa Parks stood for many things. Within her gorgeous face and her beautiful skin texture, one could only fantom the amazing potential this woman could have released just for being a fashion model. Yet she shifted her capabilities in yet another direction; becoming a model of great faith and helped revolutionized how we see faith operated in the natural. Her stand for equality and justice has been etched into the hearts of most Americans and has greatly impacted the systems of our society. During the height of the Civil Rights Movement (1960s), while photo images of African-Americans being lynched by the Ku Klux Klan, hosed down by police officers and black churches suffered in raging fires caused by demonic racists, Mrs. Rosa Parks did what many consider the turn-around for the Civil Rights Movement. Many will even label her involvement in the struggle as being the starting point for change during this time. Regardless of where one positions her refusal to head to the back of the bus for a white male on a Montgomery public bus just because of his skin color, her choice brought change. It took courage, it took boldness, it took guts to do such a thing; especially during the hateful environment created by our forefathers. To her it didn't matter. What mattered was her future, our future and her enormous faith to make a difference.
If only we had more leaders, pastors, civil workers, teachers, lawyers, doctors, gospel artists, executive directors, managers, parents and regular everyday people with that same courage. I don't think it takes a lot personally to do such a thing. But whe you are fed up, you will took whatever it takes to see change. As Malcolm X is known mostly for quoting, you will do whatever is possible, "by any means necessary". And God will do the rest.
It was brought to my attention by a good colleague of mine that Apple has posted a tribute to Mrs. Parks on their website; which is befitting for the hour since we lost her on Monday at the age of 92 in her home in Detroit, Michigan. The cause of her death was reported as being a mix of "hypertension and dementia". Memorial services have been set up in both Montgomery, Alabama and Detroit, Michigan; both cities have agreed to work together to bring tribute to one of America's beloved figures in civil rights history. Saturday and Sunday her body will lie in state for public viewing at St. Paul AME Church in Montgomery, AL. Funeral services will be held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI on Nov. 2.
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