21 Highly effective Rosa Parks Quotes

Throughout Black Historical past Month, sharing smart phrases from changemakers, thought leaders, trailblazers, and influential people inside the neighborhood is an effective way to have fun and honor the sacrifices and contributions of African People. For these looking for insightful Black Historical past Month quotes to learn, share, or publish on social media — maybe in honor of Rosa Parks Day on February 4 (her birthday), or to replicate on any day of the 12 months — it doesn’t get higher than these highly effective Rosa Park quotes. Affectionately referred to as the “Mom of the Civil Rights Motion,” Parks is an American icon — and for good cause.

On December 1, 1955, the 42-year-old was headed dwelling from her job as a seamstress at Montgomery Honest division retailer in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama when she made historical past. After she boarded the bus and took a seat, she and the three others in her row have been instructed by the motive force to face up and transfer to the again, making extra seats for white passengers because the bus stuffed.

Famously, Parks refused to vacate the seat. Her brave act of defiance resulted in her being arrested and later discovered responsible of disorderly conduct. Along with the arrest, she misplaced her job as a seamstress and her husband additionally misplaced his job after being forbidden from speaking concerning the authorized case. Though Parks’ courageous actions landed her behind bars, her impression sparked change and catapulted her into historical past books. Taking a stand in opposition to the segregation legal guidelines, Parks impressed the African American neighborhood to boycott buses for 381 days, which turned referred to as the Montgomery Bus Boycott — and was led by newcomer Martin Luther King, Jr.

For the rest of her life, she continued to battle in opposition to racial prejudice and discrimination. Though Parks handed away in 2005, her legacy lives on. Similar to her unprecedented actions and plain braveness influenced society, let these inspirational Rosa Parks quotes function a reminder to at all times battle for what’s proper.

1.“I’ve discovered over time that when one’s thoughts is made up, this diminishes worry; realizing what should be carried out does away with worry.”
— Quiet Energy: The Religion, the Hope, and the Coronary heart of a Girl Who Modified a Nation by Rosa Parks with Gregory J. Reed

2. “I want to be referred to as an individual who is worried about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all individuals.”
— Rosa Parks on her 77th birthday

3. “Variations of race, nationality or faith shouldn’t be used to disclaim any human being citizenship rights or privileges. Life is to be lived to its fullest in order that demise is simply one other chapter. Reminiscences of our lives, of our works and our deeds will proceed in others.”
— Life journal, 1988

4. “No matter my particular person wishes have been to be free, I used to be not alone. There have been many others who felt the identical means.”
— Quoted in Refuse to Stand Silently by: An Oral Historical past of Grass Roots Social Activism in America, 1921-64

5. “Racism continues to be with us. However it’s as much as us to organize our kids for what they’ve to fulfill, and, hopefully, we will overcome.”
— In dialog with Washington Put up columnist Courtland Milloy at a celebration of her life at Howard College in 1998

6. “Individuals at all times say that I didn’t quit my seat as a result of I used to be drained, however that isn’t true. I used to be not drained bodily, or no extra drained than I normally was on the finish of a working day. I used to be not previous, though some individuals have a picture of me as being previous then. I used to be forty-two. No, the one drained I used to be, was uninterested in giving in.” — Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks and James Haskin

7. “I want to be remembered as an individual who wished to be free… so different individuals could be additionally free.”
— 1987 PBS documentary, Eyes on the Prize

8. “I do not suppose effectively of people who find themselves prejudiced in opposition to individuals due to race. The one means for prejudiced individuals to alter is for them to determine for themselves that every one human beings must be handled pretty. We won’t pressure them to suppose that means.”
— In reply to the query from a scholar, “How do you’re feeling concerning the individuals who handled you so unfairly?

9. “Way back to I can bear in mind, I knew there was one thing unsuitable with our lifestyle when individuals may very well be mistreated due to the colour of their pores and skin.”
— NAACP assembly in Baltimore, October 1956

10. “Stand for one thing or you’ll fall for something. Immediately’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its floor.”

11. “There may be simply a lot harm, disappointment and oppression one can take. The bubble of life grows bigger. The road between cause and insanity grows thinner.”
— Written in a private letter

12. “I didn’t need to be mistreated, I didn’t need to be disadvantaged of a seat that I had paid for. It was simply time… there was a chance for me to take a stand to precise the best way I felt about being handled in that method. I had not deliberate to get arrested. I had lots to do with out having to finish up in jail. However after I needed to face that call, I did not hesitate to take action as a result of I felt that we had endured that too lengthy. The extra we gave in, the extra we complied with that type of remedy, the extra oppressive it turned.”
— 1992 NPR interview with Lynn Neary

13. “I consider we’re right here on the planet Earth to reside, develop up and do what we will to make this world a greater place for all individuals to take pleasure in freedom.” — Life journal, 1988

14. “God has at all times given me the power to say what is true… I had the power of God and my ancestors with me.”
— Quoted in The Rebellious Lifetime of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis

15. “From my upbringing and the Bible I discovered individuals ought to arise for rights simply as the youngsters of Israel stood as much as the Pharaoh.”
— Quoted in The Rebellious Lifetime of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theohari

16. “Every individual should reside their life as a mannequin for others.”

17. “You should by no means be fearful about what you might be doing when it’s proper.”

18. “There have been instances when it could have been simple to collapse or to go in the other way, however in some way I felt that if I took yet another step, somebody would come alongside to hitch me.”
— Revealed by Chicago Tribune

19. “On the time I used to be arrested, I had no concept it could flip into this. It was only a day like every other day. The one factor that made it vital was that the lots of the individuals joined in.”
— Revealed by USA Immediately

20. “I felt the Lord would give me the power to endure no matter I needed to face. God did away with all my worry.”
— Quiet Energy: The Religion, the Hope and the Coronary heart of a Girl Who Modified a Nation by Rosa Parks with Gregory J. Reed

21. “I do the easiest I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking out ahead to a greater day, however I don’t suppose there’s any such factor as full happiness. It pains me that there’s nonetheless a whole lot of Klan exercise and racism. I feel once you say you’re glad, you have got the whole lot that you simply want and the whole lot that you really want, and nothing extra to want for. I haven’t reached that stage but.”
— In reply to the query of whether or not she was glad dwelling in retirement