On December 1, 1955 Rosa Parks changed history. Rosa Parks was an extraordinary and remarkable woman in her time. She had the gusto, wit and persistence to outwardly speak against blatant ignorance. Rosa protested in opposition to a direct order from a bus driver to give up her seat to a white passenger. Her boldness and defiance was an important aspect to the movement of desegregation, inspiring the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Rosa was instrumental in helping Martin Luther King Jr. launch national awareness with the Civil Rights Movement. Ultimately she was known as the ‘Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.’ She became the icon for Black Americans who suffered such despicable injustices and humiliation of racism.  Her legacy still lives on. Rosa Park’s life and message has been portrayed in media: movies and books. Her book written in 1992, “Rosa Parks: My Story” written for young readers, was a detailed passage of her life leading up to the decision not to give up her seat. Later in 1995, she published “Quiet Strength”, which focused on her hope, faith and beliefs. Another book that forever affected my view of human behavior, ­“Black Like Me” was written by journalist, John Howard Griffin. He altered my perceptions of how people treat people. His six-week journey catalogued his experiences in 1959, portraying the ever present challenges of what black people faced during those times in their daily encounters.  It was poignant and captivating because John Howard Griffin was a white man. Through the assistance of a doctor, he artificially darkened his skin. Rather than simply go through the process of interviewing people, he wanted the experience of social injustices to be firsthand. It is difficult to fathom that such hateful prejudices, demeaning actions existed.  Today ‘outward’ behaviors have changed, a tremendous shift towards fairness and decency; yet, unfortunately bigotry, intolerance, narrow-mindedness towards our differences still exists.  Let’s make a difference, celebrate each other, and pave the way to a better world! As a tribute to Rosa Parks, John Howard Griffin and many others who continue to make a difference, imagine there are no differences, ‘Imagine there’s no countries’. Imagine by John Lennon Imagine there’s no Heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say that I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world You may say that I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will live as one Views:]]>