Rosa Parks
Civil rights activist
Sayings by Rosa Parks
I had been pushed around all my life and felt at this moment that I couldn’t take it anymore.
People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically, or no more tired than I usually was at the end of a working day. I was tired of giving in.
The only way to stop the racism and discriminations is to stand up and fight for your rights.
I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free.
Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.
To this day I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.
As I look back on that day, it is clear that it was a day when the hand of God was upon me.
Our freedom is not complete until all people are free.
You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.
I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.
I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving in.
There were times when it would have been easy to give up, but I knew that if I did, others would suffer.
The time had come for someone to take a stand, and I decided that I would be that someone.
Each person must live their life as a model for others.
I do not advocate violence; nor do I condemn those who would use violence to protect themselves.
The bus was a symbol of the segregated South, and my refusal to move was a small act of defiance that sparked a movement.
I felt that I had a right to stay where I was. I just felt that I had been there long enough, and I was not going to move.
My only concern was to get home after a hard day's work.
We still have a long way to go in our struggle for freedom.
The best way to overcome racism is to educate people and to teach them to be open-minded.