Rosa Parks

“Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.”

“In it not easy to remain rational and normal mentally in such a setting where, even in our airport in Montgomery, there is a white waiting room... There are restroom facilities for white ladies and colored women, white men and colored men. We stand outside after being served at the same ticket counter instead of sitting on the inside.”

“Let us look at Jim Crow for the criminal he is and what he has done to one life multiplied millions of times over these United States and the world. He walks us on a tightrope from birth.”

“Whites would accuse you of causing trouble when all you were doing was acting like a normal human being instead of cringing.”

“Each person must live their life as a model for others.”

“Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.”

“There is just so much hurt, disappointment, and oppression one can take... The line between reason and madness grows thinner.”

“I have never been what you would call just an integrationist. I know I've been called that... Integrating that bus wouldn't mean more equality. Even when there was segregation, there was plenty of integration in the South, but it was for the benefit and convenience of the white person, not us.”

“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 talked and talked of everything I know about the white man's inhuman treatment of the Negro.”

“I'm tired of being treated like a second-class citizen.”

“All I was doing was trying to get home from work.”

“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.”

“As far back as I can remember, I knew there was something wrong with our way of life when people could be mistreated because of the color of their skin.”

“Time begins the healing process of wounds cut deeply by oppression. We soothe ourselves with the salve of attempted indifference, accepting the false pattern set up by the horrible restriction of Jim Crow laws.”

“At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this. It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in.”

“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free.”

“God has always given me the strength to say what is right.”

“I learned to put my trust in God and to see Him as my strength. Long ago I set my mind to be a free person and not to give in to fear. I always felt that it was my right to defend myself if I could. 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." - Rosa Parks”

“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... No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”