Rosa Parks Dies at 92

[MadGamer]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4373794.stm

Originally Posted by BBC

Rosa Parks, the black woman whose 1955 protest action in Alabama marked the start of the modern US civil rights movement, has died at the age of 92.

Mrs Parks' refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a bus prompted a mass black boycott of buses, organised by Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr.

What a sad day

[Paul M]

It's always a sad day for the family of someone who dies, and my sympathies to them - but tbh - it means little to me, I had to read the thread to even know who she was.

[sir_drinks_alot]

This is a very sad day for civil rights the u.s would be a very Different place today
With out this brave woman.

[Ramrod]

On 1 December 1955, Mrs Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama to a white man, defying the law. She was arrested and fined $14.

Hard to believe that things like that happened in the western world in living memory.

[Wicked_and_Crazy]

Originally Posted by Paul M

It's always a sad day for the family of someone who dies, and my sympathies to them - but tbh - it means little to me, I had to read the thread to even know who she was.

i sat on the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. The bus can be seen at the Ford Museum in Dearborn. i.d post a picture but you can all see her and the bus here

http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/rosaparks/home.asp

I must admit i didnt know who she was until i visited Montgomery AL. Having learnt about her on my visit i felt a disgrace that i dint know who she was.
__________________

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Hard to believe that things like that happened in the western world in living memory.

not really, still happens in some areas of the states

[punky]

A tragic day, she was truely brave and wonderful what she did. Something so simple, but look what it lead to. She didn't even have to kill anyone. Her peaceful actions, along with Dr King's should be a reference nd testament to anyone wanting to change a government's stance.

However, actions later on in her life, soured her legacy somewhat. She tried to sue Outkast for $5 BILLION for apparently having the temerity to use her name without permission

[BBKing]

Something so simple, but look what it lead to

She did a lot more than just refuse to move on a bus (where, incidentally, she was sitting in the 'colored' section) - she was already a highly committed political activist for many years and deserves to be remembered as much for that. It's not usually a single act that changes the world, but committed, intelligent people working for a long time, often in the teeth of a lot of entrenched opinions. Doing it peacefully, of course, makes it more likely that people will rally to your side from the opposition, as the more intelligent political leaders worked out.

As for OutKast, it was rather late in her life and it's unclear quite how much control a nonagenarian with dementia had over it. Doesn't detract one iota from her achievements, IMHO.

[Halcyon]

She will be remembered for her great efforts that changed the world.
R.I.P.

After the good things she's done, she won't be forgotten

[Damien]

Originally Posted by punky

However, actions later on in her life, soured her legacy somewhat. She tried to sue Outkast for $5 BILLION for apparently having the temerity to use her name without permission

From the reports I read, it was the family that sued. She was claimed not to have any knowledge of it. She was getting old and had dementia, I am inclined to belive them
__________________

Originally Posted by Electrolyte

After the good things she's done, she won't be forgotten

The best quote I heard today was: "She stood up by sitting down" I like that one

I cannot belive that this stuff was happing around 20 years before I was born .

[Maggy J]

It all happened within my living memory. Similar things happened here too.I remember the no blacks signs posted in B&B windows in my childhood.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

It all happened within my living memory. Similar things happened here too.I remember the no blacks signs posted in B&B windows in my childhood.

And it continued for quite a while beyond that...

I can't find a pic, but I remember the image of a South African park bench with 'slegs vir blankes' (whites only) written on it .

[Lew]

Originally Posted by Damien

From the reports I read, it was the family that sued. She was claimed not to have any knowledge of it. She was getting old and had dementia, I am inclined to belive them

BBC News

Legal action was originally taken in 1999, in which Ms Parks alleged defamation and and trademark infringement because OutKast had not asked permission to use her name.

This challenge was dismissed on the grounds that use of Ms Parks' name was permitted under the First Amendment.

A second case worth $5bn (£2.65bn) was brought by Ms Parks' lawyers in 2004, which was aimed at OutKast's record companies rather than the band.

Relatives of Ms Parks, who has suffered from dementia since at least 2002, criticised her lawyers and carers, saying there would have been no objection to the song if she had been in good health.

They alleged that she was probably unaware of the legal action.

[Sarge]

Rosa Parks will always be remembered for her role in the civil rights movement. Even if she had done a couple of things that take away from that she still did far more for it than against it. It's like MLK martin luther king, it was found after his death that his great speech "I had a dream" was in part plagiarized from other speeches, but that didn't take away from all the good he did in his time. When I was young I still remember going to public pools that didn't allow coloreds, and at the time I couldn't understand why there was always so much going on by the entrance, it was because they had bouncers there keeping them out. that place eventually closed down for that reason but it shames me to know this went on in my time. I don't know of anywhere in the US now that there isn't equal rights, but there are still definitely towns where racism is alive and well.

[Damien]

Apple have put up a picture of her on there front page

www.apple.com