Is it time to petition for Rosa Parks Day?

[RevCheesehead]

All her life, Rosa Parks was told that she didn't matter. Because of the color of her skin, her society insisted that she could not enjoy the full benefits of society. Whether it was segregated restaurants, water fountains, schools, or public transportation, she had to settle for second place. Like many who endured such daily humiliation, she was tired. Tired of accepting the message that she was something less than a full citizen, tired of averting her eyes, tired of being told that she had to let others pretend that she didn't matter.

One day, she had enough. It was time to say "no" to a dysfunctional society. Maybe she didn't think she was doing something on behalf of her people. She didn't need to be a civil rights leader. She was simply speaking up for her own rights. In her mind, she knew that she deserved better.

Her simple act of refusing to get up - an act of civil disobedience - empowered thousands of others to join in protesting the overt racism in our society. And like many of our heroes, she was vilified for daring to challenge the status quo.

In our nation, we set aside days of remembrance for great persons in our history. But in all of our days of remembrance, we have officially set aside only one person of color, Dr. Martin Luther King, and have not acknowledged the greatness of any woman of any color.

I believe it is time for this nation to acknowledge the greatness of this woman, Rosa Parks, and would like to call on our government to establish a federal holiday/day of observance in honor of her courage to claim her full rights as a citizen of this country.

[Maraya1969]

1. I think that is a good idea. Whenever someone tells me that one person

cannot make a difference I remind them about her.

[RevCheesehead]

3. She is a classic example.

[gkhouston]

2. Kicked and recommended

too often we save our accolades for "important" people and in doing so, diminish the contributions and courage of "ordinary" citizens. She was far from ordinary and deserves our remembrance and respect.

[crispini]

4. GREAT idea! Nominated!

Wonderful wonderful wonderful!!!!!!!!!

Can we have a Gandhi Day next? :7 (kidding-- sort of)

[RevCheesehead]

5. Rev. Al is kicking ass right now!

"After all she did, we shouldn't have to BEG you to get out and vote!"

[Aimah]

6. Yes

If she's the Mother of the New American Civilization then Yes.

[Walt Starr]

7. I sent a letter to Obama the day she passed

I asked that December 1 be named Rosa Parks day.

[RevCheesehead]

8. Excellent.

Did you get a response yet? :thumbsup:

[Chovexani]

9. Great idea!

We need to get folks on board with this. It's important that she is acknowledged.

[demjuli]

10. Kicked and recommended! n/t

[crispini]

11. So what action should we take?

Write our Senators and Representatives?

Start an online petition?

Write the President?

[Chovexani]

12. Online petitions are useless

At least the Petition Online variety. I think a letter-writing campaign would probably be more effective. Maybe start with the CBC? They'd be on board.

[crispini]

15. Well, actually, online petitions are NOT useless, IF...

you have a plan to send them to somebody.

Case in point: We had a local activist group start a petition to get Air America radio in our area. We sent a target radio station a link to the petition and information about AAR. Not that much later -- voila, we had an AAR affiliate! Now, admittedly, we picked that station because we heard they were likely to be considering a format change, but I'm sure that our efforts didn't HURT.

So, similarly, if we wanted to start an online petition for this holiday, it would be MOST useful in conjuction with an email or letter writing campaign to bring the petition to the attention of the relevant people.

Edited to add: But I agree with you, most online petitions are worthless.

[Chovexani]

16. That's actually what I meant

The ones that are effective are focused and organized, and not something on those dumb petition sites (who have petitions for stuff like demands that JK Rowling put Harry and Hermione together in the last book for crying out loud).

That's cool you were able to get an AAR affiliate though, great work! :toast:

[keepthemhonest]

13. Hi Rev Cheechead long time no see

Great idea.

[RevCheesehead]

17. Hi, KTH!

Where've ya been hiding? :hi:

[keepthemhonest]

27. I am just watching from the sidelines right now

and shooting off emails when I need to. I just come and read mostly not posting.Just waiting for the walls to come tumbling down on this administration.

[KamaAina]

14. Free bus rides for everyone on Rosa Parks Day!

Front, back, doesn't matter -- they're all free on Rosa Day!

[G_j]

18. yes! n/t

[Groggy]

19. YES!!! n/t

[LostInAnomie]

20. Great lady but I don't think so.

Not to say she wasn't a great woman and doesn't deserve it.

What I am afraid of is the Presidents Day effect? Years ago schools and the nation would commemorate and focus on both Pres. Washington, and Pres. Lincoln's birthdays. After years of having both recognized as independent holidays they became melded into a watered down version called "President's Day" that really holds no meaning to anyone.

I am afraid that with a Rosa Parks day added to the calender eventually it would become globbed together with MLK's Birthday into a basically unrecognized "Civil Rights Day". I don't want that to happen.

If it happens I at least hope that they separate it from MLK's B-Day by at least 6 months so it doesn't lose any recognition.

[RevCheesehead]

21. I understand, and share your apprehension.

It would be awful if that happened.

But at the same time, I think it's a shame that there are no women nationally recognized for their efforts. Also, she's someone who did something extraordinary in an ordinary situation. It's that kind of behavior that I celebrate.

[bigwillq]

22. I'll be all for it!

:bounce:

[Ladyhawk]

23. Let's replace "Columbus Day."

Columbus was a genocidal bastard. Rosa Parks was a brave and good woman. Even in her pictures her beautiful spirit shines through.

[RevCheesehead]

24. And she helped all of us re-discover America....

not as it was, but as it should be.

[brainshrub]

25. I don't think so.

Why not simply celebrate her life with MLK?

BTW: We should dump Columbus Day.

[AirAmFan]

26. YES! Future generations should MARCH to celebrate this WOMAN

on a special day for her alone, with time off from work, and they should march to celebrate other women on other special days.

Besides Mothers' Day, what other widely-celebrated holidays commemorate or "Sheroes"? And do any of them get celebrated with a day off work? What message does our holiday structure send to future generations of women and men?

[rmgustaf]

28. Great idea. n/t

[Patsy Stone]

29. Yep. It is! n/t