Mrs. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, February 4, 1913-October 24, 2005 Cyber-Reflections
Imagined candlelight flickering on an altar with a photo of Mrs. Parks with her beloved Raymond Parks, hair cascading down her back his hand in hers . . . White flowers, perhaps gardenias or lilacs or jasmine fragrance as poignant as our memories of this great humanitarian
http://www.rosaparkslegacy.com/about-us
Today in class we reflected on the life of Mrs. Rosa Parks on the anniversary of her demise in 2005. We didn't get to read from students' papers in all the classes (10-10:50 a.m. and 8-8:50 a.m.) We will continue on Monday, October 29, 2013.
Guest Speakers
Do not forget that we will have a guest, Dr. Juanita Alexander, English Faculty, visiting the 10-10:50 AM class on October 31, to talk about the life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, her Detroit years. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Alexander's family moved to Detroit when she was a child.
I just found out that her husband who was born in Detroit will also join her.
All are welcome. I hope you can take advantage of this rare and wonderful opportunity to hear from someone who lived there and whose family knew Mrs. Rosa Parks. The presentation will take the entire class period.
Presentations
Only one student gave me a copy of her abstract today. Make sure you bring a copy in on Monday for me to read. In the 10-10:50 and 11-11:50 classes we completed sharing the abstracts. Students have an opportunity to share on Monday. Bring in a class set for Tuesday morning.
Students, the presentations will be about 3-5 minutes. Rehearse them. Monday we will talk about the presentations and review the abstracts. Bring in the book. If you want to play a clip from a film, cue it up. I will have a projector, you need to provide a computer. The DVD/CD player is in the classroom.
Field Trip
There is a new play about Emmett Till which looks at the intersection of two stories, one set in the United States, the other in Japan. I thought that perhaps we could attend this play as a class. Emmett Till, a river, runs Nov. 7-17. The details are here: http://www.theatreofyugen.org/?spec=94
Let me know if you would like to go. I thought Nov. 14 (there is a pre-show symposium) or Sundays, Nov. 10 or 17, 2 p.m. matinees.
Post your reflections here.
http://www.rosaparkslegacy.com/about-us
Today in class we reflected on the life of Mrs. Rosa Parks on the anniversary of her demise in 2005. We didn't get to read from students' papers in all the classes (10-10:50 a.m. and 8-8:50 a.m.) We will continue on Monday, October 29, 2013.
Guest Speakers
Do not forget that we will have a guest, Dr. Juanita Alexander, English Faculty, visiting the 10-10:50 AM class on October 31, to talk about the life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, her Detroit years. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Alexander's family moved to Detroit when she was a child.
I just found out that her husband who was born in Detroit will also join her.
All are welcome. I hope you can take advantage of this rare and wonderful opportunity to hear from someone who lived there and whose family knew Mrs. Rosa Parks. The presentation will take the entire class period.
Presentations
Only one student gave me a copy of her abstract today. Make sure you bring a copy in on Monday for me to read. In the 10-10:50 and 11-11:50 classes we completed sharing the abstracts. Students have an opportunity to share on Monday. Bring in a class set for Tuesday morning.
Students, the presentations will be about 3-5 minutes. Rehearse them. Monday we will talk about the presentations and review the abstracts. Bring in the book. If you want to play a clip from a film, cue it up. I will have a projector, you need to provide a computer. The DVD/CD player is in the classroom.
Field Trip
There is a new play about Emmett Till which looks at the intersection of two stories, one set in the United States, the other in Japan. I thought that perhaps we could attend this play as a class. Emmett Till, a river, runs Nov. 7-17. The details are here: http://www.theatreofyugen.org/?spec=94
Let me know if you would like to go. I thought Nov. 14 (there is a pre-show symposium) or Sundays, Nov. 10 or 17, 2 p.m. matinees.
Post your reflections here.
posted by Professor Wanda's Posse at 9:53 AM
10 Comments:
Tiffany Gregory
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
24 October, 2013
Reflection / Rosa Parks
The impact racism had on Rosa Parks’ life was tremendous and it leads her to be the great woman we admire and love today. She was born into a family who stood up for themselves. Both her mother and grandfather were rebellious themselves and that’s where she got her tough heart from. She was oppressed but was determined to make it out of that oppressive situation and while doing so learning and teaching others the way to go without having to resort to violence.
What sticks with me about the rebellious life of Mrs. Rosa Parks was that since a child all I was taught about her was that she was black and she refused to give up her seat. However, I read this book I was informed about what happened before and after Rosa Parks stood up for herself that day on the bus. Not many people acknowledge the fact that she was just tired of being oppressed. I’m more appreciative for what I have in my life because it took people like Rosa Parks and Dr. King to pursue their dreams and fight against injustice so that I’d be able to live a happier life. I am now more responsible and courteous then I was before.
Ariana Yu
Professor Sabir
English 1A, 8:00-8:50AM
24 October 2013
Reflection on Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is an amazing person who stood up against inequality and fought for civil/human rights. Many history classes teach about Rosa Parks, but most of the students only take away one thing—the fact that Rosa Parks stood up. I remember in my United States History textbook, there was only half a page about Rosa Parks, and most of the content there were not even about her, but about the bus boycott itself. However, Rosa Parks did so much throughout her life—encouraging and educating the youth about inequality, leading the Youth Council, and so much more. In addition to this, almost no one is aware about the sufferings Parks went through. She developed ulcers, her mom was gravely ill, and her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Some people may think that Parks takes her fame for granted, but the truth is, she faced a lot of resentment. She had a hard time finding a job after standing up and received many hateful phone calls and death threats. Despite this, she kept fighting for what she thought was right.
The most important thing that I can take away from this book is to have courage in what I want to fight for. There are many people out there who want change but are not brave enough to stand up and try to initiate the change. Another thing that I learned after reading this book is to never give up, even if all things seem lost. Rosa Parks was economically unstable and her entire family was sick, but she persisted in doing her political work. After reading this book, I plan to dig into the history of other famous rebellious characters to discover more of the darker sides of being a rebel.
Briana Del Cid
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
24 October 2013
What Mrs. Parks Has Taught Me
Rosa Parks has influenced me to become more appreciative of everything I have because if it wasn't for her bravery things would be so much different. She also reminded me to never give up even when things are looking down. Last it that she has inspired me to become a better person and to work for the things I believe in. Parks has taught me that we have to remember the “little” people or the people who lift you on their shoulders because you are no one without them. Every great person has a crowd of supporters who got them to where they are now.
Milin Khunkhun
Professor Sabir
English 1A
24 October 2013
Reflection on Mrs. Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks has influenced me greatly because Theoharis describes the unknown life of Rosa Parks before and after the boycott. What really resinated with me is that Rosa Parks never gave up on fighting injustices when she was threatened in many ways. She was a rebel because she did not let the harsh comments destroy her belief in fighting for a cause. As I grow up and become an adult I will look back at this book and Rosa Parks because I want to fight against the big agriculture companies that dominate what foods society can eat, such as Monsanto. I am happy to say that I am starting to create some change by becoming involved in my high schools' community garden. I want to show our community that there is no harm in growing foods with no chemicals and that there is great harm to our future if we keep eating the pesticide foods in grocery stores. My goal is to inform and make a difference by slowly changes the eating lifestyle to one that is healthy and won't hurt this and later generations. I want to be the rebel that Rosa Parks embodies.
Susan Gyemant
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11/1150
Parks Reflection
24 October 2013
With All Due Respect
Mrs. Rosa Parks impressed on me a drive to persist in life. Her tenacity was admirable to such an exponential degree, that I would only hope to employ a fraction of it in my life. While it may be difficult to match her persistence, fortunately Parks’s influence sets a standard which I intend to implement wherever and whenever suitable. Pursuing a college career, being a good mother and a good wife, respecting myself, social and environmental responsibility have all been granted a priceless energy boost.
Respectfully indebted,
Susan Gyemant
Jacky Christie
Professor Sabir
English 1A 10-10:50
Parks Reflection
The past month or so our English class has spent focusing on the background of Rosa Parks and her significance as a historical rebel have been quite interesting. It is always fascinating to take a popular public hero- a figure that one often hears about early on, and knows is important, but doesn't hear the full story of- and put them in specific perspective. Rather than saying "Rosa Parks was against racism, and didn't move to the back of the bus with the other black people because she was tired, and it was revolutionary", our analytical journey, aided with Theoharis' The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, we approach the figure with more of an "Rosa Parks was an African-American who was mistreated and abused during the 30s-50s, like many others, and made a definite effort to stand against the racism during that period because she knew it was a matter of justice"-attitude. By really delving into Rosa Parks' history- identifying and acknowledging her idols, family, friends, and home background- as well as the exponential impact of her dedication to justice after the famous "bus-retaliation", we can truly see what makes Rosa Parks an exceptional "rebel".
Hoi Chak
Professor Sabir
English 1A 8-8:50
27 October 2013
Like we discussed in class, Mrs. Rosa Parks had a huge impact on American history. She greatly influenced the change in slavery laws as well as freedom for slaves. I think many of us underestimate her achievements. Growing up, Rosa Parks was vaguely discussed. Yes, we know that she refused to give up her sit on the bus. But as a child, that was pretty much all I knew about her. I didn't know the struggles she had before and after the boycott. It wasn't until I read this book that I understood and realized the struggles it takes to be a "rebel". Mrs. Rosa Parks fought for what she believed in and she didn't hesitate to give up. And I admire her courage and bravery for being so strong even when the rest of the Negro community didn't stand by her side. That is what makes her a "rebel"
Alma Ramirez
Professor Wanda Sabir
English 1 8-8:50AM
27 October 2013
Reflection on Mrs. Rosa Parks
After my reading of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks I learned that Mrs. Rosa Parks is just known for not giving up her seat on the bus, but most of us don’t know about how she had her whole life fighting against injustice. I learned she fought for equality since she was young and could not stand segregation. She worked with many organizations, and in many places throughout the United States. She was never given proper credit for her work in Detroit or for trying to help the youth. I also learned that she was constantly struggling with threats, her illness and also loss of income. It was just really tough for Mrs. Parks. I find it even sadder how she was honored after her death, yet no one helped while she was struggling. Even in history classes at school, we mostly just learn about the bus protest. What I learned from Mrs. Rosa Parks is that one must never give up on what they believe and remain strong throughout.
Kimberly Young
Professor Sabir
English 1A, 8:00-8:50
24 October 2013
Reflection
Today in class, I learned that Rosa Parks has greatly affected me and my fellow classmates. I thought the experience of just sitting in class and reflecting what each other learned from Rosa Parks was very valuable. After reading the book The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis, I saw how I have transformed the legend that I learned in middle school to truth. This book had given me more knowledge about Rosa Parks than the article I remember reading in my 8th grade history class. One thing I learned from Mrs. Rosa Parks was never give up and stay strong for what you believe in. Just as I said in class, Rosa Parks probably wasn't the first stand up to a white man because of inequality, but she was the first to never give up. This is something I could use in my own life. For example, if I made a decision to stop bullying from happening in my school. I will stand up for someone who is bullied even if it is to go against a bully. Parks had a great impact on me and I look forward into learning more about her.
Ernest Blackmon
Professor Sabir
English 1A 11-11:50
29 October 2013
Reflection on Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was a tenacious and brave African American Woman. I gained knowledge and true understanding of her rebellious nature from Theoharis’s Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks. I was stunned at the fact she still resisted against the laws of discrimination fully aware of the aftereffects that could occur from her actions. I personally I am a cautious person who would avoid conflicts especially if it involved law enforcement, but Rosa Parks panted her feet proud and stood her ground with the audacity and state of mind of a true rebellious spirit not willing to bow down anymore to the injustices of racial discrimination. I too take her tenacity and courage and embody them into my life so that I too can strive for the gals that I have set or myself within my life.
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