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Subscribe to RSSSculptor Eugene Daub, who created the likeness of civil rights activist Rosa Parks, described why he decided not to show the famous bus seat that Parks refused to give up. The unveiling of the sculpture was especially poignant for Georgia Congressman John Lewis, who said Parks paved the way for other African-American luminaries and 'gave me a way out.' NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports.
More than half a century after she refused to give up her seat on an Alabama city bus, Rosa Parks has an immovable place in the U.S. Capitol — the first black woman to be honored with a statue there.
President Barack Obama and congressional leaders from both parties said at an unveiling Wednesday that the depiction was fitting: Parks is shown seated, hands clasped in front of her, eyes fixed forward.
“Rosa Parks’ singular act of disobedience launched a movement,” Obama said. “The tired feet of those who walked the dusty roads of Montgomery helped a nation see that to which it had once been blind.”
On Dec. 1, 1955, Parks, then a 42-year-old seamstress, broke the law by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a packed bus. Her arrest touched off a yearlong boycott of the bus system, a turning point in the civil rights movement. In 1956, the Supreme Court banned segregation on public transportation.
Parks died in October 2005, at age 92, and would have turned 100 this month.
On Wednesday, Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., and the highest-ranking black member of Congress, called her “the first lady of civil rights, the mother of the movement, the saint of an endless struggle.”
The statue’s unveiling took place on a day when memories of the civil rights struggle were not far from mind in Washington. Across the street, with Clyburn watching, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 should stand. The act requires nine states, mostly in the South, to get federal permission to change voting rules.
Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
President Barack Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner look at the statue of Rosa Parks after its unveiling in the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday.
The statue of Parks, 9 feet tall and in bronze, will be in Statuary Hall, where the House of Representatives met in the early 1800s. It is part of a collection of 100 in five locations in the Capitol.
Among the others in Statuary Hall are William Jennings Bryan and Daniel Webster. House Speaker John Boehner pointed out that the statue of Parks will be “right in the gaze” of that of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy. He said her unassuming presence should inspire people to “draw strength from stillness.”
Parks was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999, but Rhea McCauley, a niece, told The Associated Press before the unveiling that this honor would be different.
“The medal, you could take it, put it on a mantel,” she said. “But her being in the hall itself is permanent.”
More than 50 of Parks’ relatives had planned to attend the ceremony, and two of them, a niece and a longtime friend, helped Obama and congressional leaders yank down the shroud that covered the statue.
The sculptor was Eugene Daub of San Pedro, Calif.
“She seemed to me a very — not shy, but modest. A very modest woman, and I wanted that to come through,” he told NBC News. “That she wasn’t ever looking for attention or celebrity, but she was just doing what she had to do.”
Obama said that Parks’ story is a reminder that “we so often spend our lives as if in a fog, accepting injustice, rationalizing inequity” — like the bus driver, he said, but also like the other passengers.
“Rosa Parks tells us there’s always something we can do,” he said.
President Obama joined Congressional leaders today on Capitol Hill to unveil a new statue of Rosa Parks. Sculptor Eugene Daub told NBC News how he felt creating the likeness of one of the most definitive characters in American history.
This story was originally published on Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:44 AM EST
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And in other news, the paint is almost dry...
You be sure to keep us updated on that.
Your wish is my command, it's still a little tacky. The color is turning a little lighter as it dries... :-)
Doesn't our glorious leader have a few things more important to do this week???
Whats more important than pandering to the minorities!? Ta hell with all those working and paying taxes so the country can pay its bills and keep the PLANTATION FED!
You, sir, are a racists a— — h— — e. Aren't you late for your date with that sheep you were checking on that farm the other day? The white one with the curly butt? Be careful, or that cow you kissed last week will get jealous. Suh-ee ya at da nyex gun show!
Wow, within the first stream of messages, the hatred begins. So old and so predictable.
Thanksyou Ms. Parks for your bravery and thank you former president Bush for having this statue made of her.
"after she sat defiantly on an Alabama city bus, Rosa Parks will stand in the U.S. Capitol."
It looks like she is still sitting, which is very appropriate considering her famous act.
That statue DOSE NOT belong n the U.S. Capitol. Maybe on some street corner in Alabama. And, maybe not even then.
I think it is appropriate that America is honoring an act of courage from an ordinary citizen.
A statue of Todd Beamer would also make an appropriate memorial to the courage of American citizens.
Wow, she was 9 feet tall!?!?!
;)
Thank god our president and members of congress were there to make sure everything got done right and on time, and that no urgent issue went unhandled during the process. We are so fortunate to have leaders that are so on top of things and always taking care of their priorities. What a beautiful day to be an American.
Now, really, isn't there something else going on that needs their attention?
Surely you don't mean blacks should still be sitting in the back of the bus and drinking from different water fountains? And of course you would want to choose whether to serve them or not.
Of course this is because you and your bigoted ilk are simply superior humans? The arrogance of these KKK/TP types is just laughable. LOL!
Totally agree with that!, JamestheHeartland! There are truly deserving and accomplished people in this country that just received a slap in the face.
Shame on this political BS but, that's what you get when you vote for the crap you got in the White House now. Shouldn't this loser president do a job instead of trying to be what he is not?
Rosa Parks represents the best of America and symbolizes on of our watershed moments as a country.
May every legislator and visitor look on that statue and hope that we all have her greatness within us.
it's about time!
You all did see that BUSH commissioned this statue, not Obama...
Rosa was not the first one. Claudette Colvin was the first nine months before and only 15. She was shunned by people of color in her own town. Rosa was a fraud. Colvin was the first.
JamesntheHeartland
That statue DOSE NOT belong n the U.S. Capitol
@ James... "DOSE NOT"?
Uh, James, sounds like you and your one brain cell received it's education... "ntheHeartland" of ignorance! No doubt...!!
Rosa Parks was a giant in American history! Something neither you or any of your racists co-whiners will never, ever be, James. DO NOT EVER FORGET THAT!!
It's kind of interesting that she joins the likes of Jefferson Davis (democrat & president of the confederate states of America) at the US Capitol.
Realistic woman
What is predictable is the Media's pandering to the left!!!
Shovelface, was BUSH pandering to minorities, because he's the one who commissioned this statue or didn't you read the article?
Shovelbrain,
Didnt you get the memo? Since repubs got 2% of the black vote, the repubs now like blacks.
System's Down the end of your statement sounded a little derogatory, maybe the pot calling the kettle black.
voxrationis Don't forget about the lovely flower throwing black panthers.
The paint on that statue has an awful color... unless you put 36" rims on her...
If Rosa was actually sitting there and knew of the failures of the democrapic party over the last four years, she'd get up and walk!
Did all the libs catch that BUSH COMMISSIONED the statue..... wasn't some Democrat.... a REPUBLICAN
"You all did see that BUSH commissioned this statue"
The only reason the idiot GW went along with it, is because he thought Rosa Parks statue was a new street term 4 cocaine.
;-)
"Wow, within the first stream of messages, the hatred begins. So old and so predictable."
♪♫Welcome back. my friends, 2 the show that never ends.
We're so glad U could attend.
Come inside. Come inside.♪♫
;-)
@Steve: You're right, Bush commissioned the statue, so my question is when is the Republican Party going to stop pandering to the minorities and start pandering to only those hard-workin' whites and white wannabes who "pay(s) taxes so the country can pay its bills and keep the PLANTATION FED"?
ISN'T IT ABOUT TIME WE START MAKING AMERICA ALL ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE AND ALL THE NOBLE AND HONORABLE THINGS THEY HAVE DONE TO BRING CIVILIZATION TO THE NOBLE SAVAGE INDIAN OR THE WAYWARD BACKWARD NEGRO? WHENS GONNA BE THE WHITE MAN'S TIME? HUH? WHEN LORD?!?! HOW MUCH LONGER MUST THE WHITE MAN ENDURE ALL THIS PAIN AND SUFFERING UNDER THE OPPRESSIVE WHIP OF THEIR EVIL BLACK SLAVE LORDS AND BROWN OVERSEERS!!!
When Bedford Forest went down to the lily white promised land... LET WHITE PEOPLE GO!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY
"keep the PLANTATION FED"
Where is this plantation (I hope it's in the South)? Is it 4 sale?
I'm 'bout sick of these ill-mannered, race-baiting DamnedYankees.
DOESN'T surprise me one bit that a person who would make such a stupid statement has trouble spelling 4-letter words. They're really tough, y'know.
Please explain how Ms. Parks is undeserving of the honor bestowed to her. Why doesn't she deserve this? I went to school in the late 70s and early 80s, and we learned about Rosa Parks. She's been an icon of American History for at least 30 years, if not longer.
It's fair to say there are others that deserve the same honor. It's ludicrous to say that Ms. Parks somehow took a "spot" that a more deserving person should have had.
Not surprisingly, you are mistaken. This statue was commissioned by George Bush... you know, the crap that was previously in the White House.
Jesus. Would somebody over at Fox News please re-open their message boards so the bigots have some other, dark place to congregate, again.
Proud bigots! But these are likely unemployed bigots probably living off the government dole, posting by dial-up from a double wide. Sad how many of them there are...like a cancer on America.
Sorry bucko, the "losers" were the KKK/TP types. Losers don't get more than 50% of the vote.
There's already a statue of Martin Luther King in Washington.
Aren't there more important things to spend money on? What's next, a Treyvon Martin statue? A Rodney King statue?
Deep-seated hatred remains alive and well in America.
Still waiting for a damned statue of Polly Cooper, without whom there would be no Washington to put all the freaking statues of everybody.
And rightly so! It a trademark of the Democrat Party!!! Hate, division and stife!! Get's you a union job everytime!! Can't have non of this freedom talk going on, no no, we must be under Obama's thumb, he knows best!!!! Please!! The Democrats on this website are ... undescrible!
OK, to EVERYBODY who has responed to my remark. I do respect WHAT ROSA PARKS did. But, the statue needs to be on the corner in Montgomery, AL. Just not in the U.S. Capitol.
So, LET"S put up a STATUE of the ANTI-WHITE BIGOT'S of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in the U.S. Capitol.
And, while were at it Y don't we put Jesse Jackson Jr's (crook) n their to.
'nuff said. Thank u very much.
We want to build high speed railroads and repair our infrastructure and then you have got people are crying about the cost of a statue of one our American heroes. We are on totally separate pages.
Then stop complaining and let it be. She didn't change Alabama, she changed America. It wasn't the Alabama Supreme Court that made segregation on our buses illegal, it was the U.S. Supreme Court. And it was the Rosa Parks incident that swayed their votes.
As soon as you dropped the "Jesse and Al" card, you lost all credibility as neither men are players in this issue. I don't believe for 1 second that you respect what Rosa Parks did. For you, every subject regarding blacks in America boils down to "Jesse and Al".
My guess is that if she had not been black and was being honored for any act of defiance that the hateful, bigoted, bile yaking pink and sweaty white guys on this thread championed, the tone of this conversation would be dramatically different. Just a guess.
"Doesn't our glorious leader have a few things more important to do this week???"
Well Brain -- we all know if he didn't show up you would be whining and crying about that. That's what you right wingers do -- whine, cry, complain, moan and groan about anything President Obama does or doesn't do.
Sure is a lot of white trash comments being posted annonousmly by morons about a brave woman who stood up to face racist segregationist policies of the old south.
The word you are groping for is ANONYMOUSLY!!! Buy a dictionary.
...who says you can't get famous in America by just sitting on your ass.....
your mom says that, right after she sharts the couch
Off to a good start boys! Keep up the good work.
Doug....yes, slop jockey, time for you to clean up.....enjoy....
nycguy - it beats sitting on your own head while sitting on your big pink ass.
Unfortunately, the completed statue will be asked to move to the back of the Capitol in favor of a White statue.
Bush did it....now, let's see Obama CLAIM all things 'HIS', when he wants PRAISE and 'Bush's Fault', when the heat on his lowsy administration heats up...I think it was a good thing for Mr. Bush to do.
Um, Obama didn't claim it as his; he praise Bush for commissioning the statue...
You all create an Obama who doesn't exist and proceed to hate on your creation.
No Obama parades his mistakes for all to see it's the news media that don't show it as it is!!! We all got his number Bart, oh let me tell you!! So sad you don't!! You still receiving those checks it looks like. They keep taken more out of my pay check every week to keep you online!!
Bart Conner You all create an Obama who doesn't exist and proceed to hate on your creation.
That is the best line posted on here in a long time.
Thank You!
See its funny to see how scared all of you on the right are of your own made up monster. If Obama were all of what you say that he is that would be quite a feat. No one man could be all what you say he is.
Facts are pointless when it comes to how the Right treats Obama. The fact that his administration has deported as many illegals in 4 years as Bush did in 8 is completely LOST on people from the Right. It's something that they would normally cheer, but since it's the Obama administration that accomplished this, it's gotta be either untrue or no longer a priority. Credit will never be given where credit is due.
Lower middle class people who are Republicans would LOVE to have the tax loopholes of the uber-wealthy closed and allow the average Virginian ship yard worker to keep his job... until Obama suggest it. Then it quickly becomes, "screw the ship yard worker.... EXXON needs the money!"
There's only 1 fact about Obama that these people will cling to. His skin color is different from theirs. Once you swallow that pill, nothing else matters.
I would like to thank President Bush for commissioning this statue. I would like to thank John Boehner for standing with the President during the unveiling ceremony.
Hey digger, who do you blame for your "lowsy" spelling/grammar?
"Um, Obama didn't claim it as his; he praise Bush for commissioning the statue...
An excellent tribute to a courageous woman and an individual who helped changed history by elevating the entire human spirit by resisting oppression.
Seems we need a whole lot of that in this country now-a-days as we slowly watch our freedoms slip away...
Amen. A prime example of how sometimes it is more honorable and righteous to violate a law than to obey it. Not always, but sometimes.
Uggg, two times in about a week I agree with heath....must be coming down with something.
Now that the moment is over though, maybe our leaders can go do their jobs?
There's a whole lot more imprisoned of the masses for a whole lot less than sitten on a bus!!!
Yes, absolutely, Culheath!
I've been in statuary hall and I've seen a lot of statues of confederate war heros put there by the various southern states. Men who fought to tear this country apart. I am white and I live in the South but I am a son of the Union and Lincoln. Rosa parks deserves her statue in the halls of congress way more that Confederate war heroes who fought against the Union. 'nuff said.
Ralphy
Please take I-95 north
nuff said
What Hightidetim said.
nuff said.
Inability to empathize.
For you clowns out there who compare this story to paint drying, or attaining fame by "just sitting on your ass" - I wonder if you would have possessed the courage to do what this woman did.
Bet not.
I resist oppression and express righteous indignation everywhere I go...LOL...
Boudreaux...wrong....I always sit on the bus....
To the back of the bus NYC :-)
But, isn't that what some b_ack pple do? sit on their a**es and refuse to get up?
Boudreaux.....you're right, now go home and get your shoe shine box
Boudreaux: What takes Real courage is walking thru a Black neighborhood at night. Or sitting at a stop light in a black neighborhood waiting for the green light. Now that is courage. Hell, sitting on a bus ain't nothing.
@LisaP, your comment is just really ignorant. What's equally as sad is the two fools that voted you up.
It's called freedom of speech!!! It can come out of their mouth or off of their fingers in this great country, just as they see it, as their experiences have recorded it. Women, you have not walked in LisaP shoes!!! I know from were she speaks.
@sweaver, she can say what she wants and also be criticized for what she said. Anyway, this story was about a courageous woman being honored. You want to comment on that?
sweaver Its called freedom of speech!!!
Now to exercise my "freedom of speech". No you you can't walk in my shoes. My experiences with people like show that your just blowing smoke. By the way where do you go for the free checks you talk about in post 4.1.? See there is my example of you blowing smoke.
Lisa said-"But, isn't that what some b_ack pple do? sit on their a**es and refuse to get up?"
What a crock-I have friends all over the country and of all colors and beliefs. They are hard working people. To denigrate them because of color is absolutely abysmal.
Lisa, you really need to get a life.
The free checks people live in the apartment across from me. They like the bar down the street. Everybody knows about them in town, 6 months from now they'll be in another apartment somewhere in the county. You just fill out the paper work. Obama is waiting to send you money, it's that easy. He got your vote!!!
Wow, the White Trash are out in full force today.
Tea Party rally must have been cancelled.
Actually, they should chisel self-aggrandizing TR's image off Mt. Rushmore and replace it with Sister Rosa's. You didn't really believe that San Juan Hill spin, did you? Better lay down the TV Guide and sports pages, turn off the Fox Propaganda Network, and read some history. ASHLEY JUDD (DEM-KY) 2014!
You've got it in for T.R.? That's a first, even for Newsvine. The NY Republican establishment at the time chose him as McKinley's VP because they wanted him out of NY state politics, where he had been an efficitive anti-corruption crusader as governor. They thought he could be neutralized by being parked in the veep spot, which was a form of political purgatory. Republican bosses at the time never dreamed he would become President, but he did when McKinley was assasinated. He soothed them when he said he would continue McKinley's business policies, yet he would end up ushering in the progressive era.
In addition to going after monopolies (called "trusts" at the time), he was also instrumental in the formation of the national parks. He also negotiated with labor movements instead of trying to crush them by force and passed meat inspection and food and drug regulations (a novelty at the time). He also appointed Oliver Wendell Holmes to the Supreme Court, arguably the finest American jurist in the first half of the 20th century.
T.R. may have been something of a self-promoter, but he also did some good while in office.
BHatfield to think that you would actually vote for an idiot actor to be your senator explains a lot about you, you should not be in a conversation with grown ups.
It is quite obvious by the majority of the posts, that there is STILL a lot of deep seeded hate in our country.
So sensitive. I'm feeling no hate....more like not in a very serious mood.
I have to agree too -- wonderful thing Rosa did! Can't people just acknowledge that instead of making it political??
AND FOR GOOD REASON!
@Shovelface, what's a good reason to have deep seeded hate?
I don't see hate. I see humor. You need thicker skin.
Hey Freethinker, I now I seem some real hate being expressed. See the difference? The original posts were more just clowning around...
Just like Cedric the Entertainer said, what did this woman really do? She got on the bus and she was tired, so she sat down, any other person that was tired would have done the same thing.
Hope they got a better sculptor than the guy that did Dr King....
What on Earth did Rosa Parks do but ride on the back of a bus? Nathan Bedford Forest was a Confederate General whose family donated all of the land in Memphis,TN for Forrest Park. He and his wife Julia are buried there. Now due to racial tensions the blacks of Memphis demand to have the park renamed in relation to the Health Sciences. We already have a Holiday in honor of Martin Luther King. And who is it we celebrate when it comes to Caucasians? So I ask you---why do we have a statue of Rosa Parks place in the Statuary Hall In Washington, DC when she was uneducated and rode on the back of the bus? But Nathan Bedford Forrest was a famed war tactical leader and because he was a Confederate the blacks in Memphis are FURIOUS! It does not matter that his family donated the land and he and his family are buried there. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THID PICTURE? They gave the park to Memphis! Their family donated it! I THINK ANY LIVING MEMBERS SHOULD TAKE IT BACK AND OUST THE PUBLIC! GRAVES ARE THERE! How foolish! Susan Smith
Susan I did not mean to "like" your post. I feel your post is clouded with another separate issue that I agree needs to be rectified however, in my opinion, Rosa Parks took a pivotal stand on that bus. What does it matter if she was uneducated? It doesn't. Just because someone isn't as educated as you doesn't mean their value or contributions to society are any less important. When so much was happening in our culture at the time, she took a stand. This is how we know one person can make a difference.
Nathan Bedford Forest was a Confederate who believed fervently that African Americans, who were removed by force from their homes should remain in slavery, mostly in the South. That is why he should not be honored.
Incidently, my gr-gr-gr-gr-gr grandfather was a slave runner to what is now Haiti, and two of his current descendants are part African American. We got things straightened out in our family, and perhaps Susan should also. The day needs to come when racism is wiped off the face of the earth.
You are clueless and your racist drivel shows your ignorance.
Hey, wasn't he related to Forest Gump?
Susan C. Smith
You are a bigot of the highest order.
Susan, you are completely ignorant as to the context of the time Rosa Parks lived in.
Seriously? You don't see ANY Caucasian's being honored with special days, statues, etc? I suggest you are being deliberately blind.
Rosa Parks took a stand and she helped to change the world.
Cameron, pretty typical for someone like her.
Care to guess which party she worships?
People like that are at their best when ignored.
@ Susan, racial tension is NOT the reason the park in being renamed. The Council voted to change the name of the park because the population in that area had changed. They wanted the park named to be updated and reflect this current time. You would have an argument if they had decided to change the name in honor of a black person, but they did not. You seem to be the type of person that wants to stir the pot. This story was about an honorable woman who deserves credit for being courageous. You try to reduce her to some uneducated woman who rode on the back of the bus. That statement alone speaks volumes about who you are.
Why don't you take a page from Mrs. Parks' life (if it doesn't kill you to do so) and stand up against this perceived injustice against Nathan. You can do it, girl! Just like Rosa Parks, one person can cause a lifetime of change.
Rosa Parks changed an entire country. and you did what exactly?
Rosa Parks didn't sit in the back of that bus. That is the point. Blacks were expected to sit in the back and leave the other seats for whites. However, Rosa was tired, sat where she wanted and was ordered by some white "gentleman" to get up and give him her seat. She always downplayed her refusal, saying she was just too tired to care, but it must have taken guts to say no to a guy twice her size who could have hit her without fear of consequences. He could have grabbed her, dragged her to the back or just thrown her off the bus...all without fear of punishment. So, it must have taken some courage to stay seated.
Hey chip fill me in on what party she worships. You are as bad as she is trying to lump everyone in her category.
Susan C. Smith...Wow. Just wow. I am white, but my children are not, so I have come into contact with more racism than many (and I live in a fairly diverse area) and it is almost never as blatant and forthright as yours. You are living in a different century than the rest of us.
From sentence 1, it's clear you are clueless when it comes to American History. She REFUSED to ride in the back of the bus. As others noted, she could have gotten beaten up for that refusal and NOTHING would have happened to those who might have assaulted her.
How much fear do you think he had to endure because of his land donation (here's a clue: NONE). This wasn't an act of bravery. It was a donation. It's very nice, but it doesn't rise to level of valor of Ms. Parks. Ms. Parks could have been seriously assaulted... not just for what she did on the bus, but for causing the long boycott of the transit system.
How were you able to graduate without taking any History classes? Lincoln? Washington? Columbus? And those are just holidays. Rosa Parks isn't getting a holiday, she got a statue. Wanna talk about all the Caucasians that have statues? Start with Mt. Rushmore and then take a trip to Washington DC.
Since it's obvious you've never passed a History class, you may not believe the consensus that SHE CHANGED AMERICA FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER. Hell, you don't even know that she DIDN'T ride on the back of the bus! Her act of defiance is a singular moment in the dismantling of segregation in this country. HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS? How can you possibly call Ms. Parks "uneducated" when you are absolutely CLUELESS on basic American History. Oh the IRONY.
Are you the same Susan Smith who drowned her own children to impress a guy?
My, my you have no idea what Mrs. Rosa Parks did.
Are you the same Susan Smith who drowned her 2 young children and then lied and said some random black guy car-jacked them?
If so that would explain the bone-ass racist ignorance of your post.
"What Caucasians do we honor"?
Hmmm,let's see...Lincoln? Washington? Columbus? Any of those ring a bell?
The Lincoln,Jefferson and Washington memorials.
Mount Rushmore.
Hundreds,if not thousands of other examples nation wide.
Nathan Bedford Forest was the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.
He was also uneducated like Susan seems to be, and white trash like Susan seems to be.
I'm so happy and excited this statue is going up of Rosa Parks who was pivotal in the desegregation movement!! Really great news!
Yeah. And you can see the results of that segregation in the murder rates in DC and Chicago! What great contributions to society! And don't forget RAP! What words of wisdom our kids get from that c*ap?
I've banned rap in my house.......you can too. I don't go to D.C.. Now, what's the problem here?
Hmmmm...So, shovelface, are you suggesting life was better when African Americans were off when they rode in the back of the bus?
Could it be that this violence is due to how You men of color are treated by society--not allowed jobs, education, are constantly searched by police, have to deal with people like you?
Last I knew, black people are allowed jobs and education. We've come along way people, catch up. As a matter of fact, there are specific organizations just for that cause. Where are the organizations to make sure reverse discrimination does not hold white people back? Where is white history month? I do believe we should all be treated equal, but we also have to deserve it. You can't dress differently, speak differently, (for example) segregating yourselves and then expect others to treat you as equal. Regardless of what the violence is "due to" it is wrong. Just because there is an excuse, someone to blame it on, doesn't make violence ok. Act right and you're treated right. We've made a lot of progress in this area but people have to take responsibility. It might be you holding yourself back, not others.
Rosa Parks was brave and the result of her one action had a huge impact. But I believe there are probably numerous others out there that have spent a lot more time and made a lot more effort changing things. We need to celebrate the good things, but maybe there was another way to do it.
Yeah, look what her heroic action did for the City of Detroit! No street lights, over 50% of the population don't even bother to pay property taxes, one of the highest crime rates in the country, unemployment of epic proportions, corrupt politicians and an utterly abysmal public school system with graduation rates less than 40%. And now, Detroit citizens can have any seat on the bus they want except that the buses don't run either. I guess that something to celebrate during Black History Month.
Oh Bart baby you really don't have a clue do you. Wow what hate you show on here everyday. Amazing you really need to get out and meet more freedom loving Americans. You really seem to live in a very repressed world, so sad! I feel sorry for you!!
JussMe10...I'm not trying to stir up trouble, but I am sick to death of hearing and reading people saying where is white history month, white entertainment TV, white this and that. It is tired, old and has been responded to millions of times over. If you choose not to hear the explanations that is all on you. It is also my perogative to not listen to your complaints.
in the middle,
rap is not the problem. Teaching teenagers not to act out on rap is. Anytime there is violence due to media influence it is either because of bad parenting of that person when they were young or mental illness.
Listening to rap does not make normal people violent. Neither do playing violent video games nor watching violent tv shows/movies.
Geowil: All I know is when rap comes on at the jukebox where me and my friends hang out, we all just about want to kill ourselves. Now one of us just shows up earlier and loads up the juke with good, classic rock, or even some country songs (can't beat "Red Solo Cup" for making a chick smile).
Detroit fell to its knee's because of bad leadership period. When they saw the Auto industry failing to Japanese cars, they should have created more industry and commerce. Blame the Leader's, not the people.
ECF2222...Reverse discrimination may be a 'tired, old' subject for you but I apologize, I have not been exposed to the millions of responses you apparently have. I was not complaining, but yes it is your perogative to not listen; however, apparently you did and you felt it necessary to respond. I was just making a comment; asking a question to get discussion going. It is just a bit frustrating that there are numerous advantages in the form of scholarships, organizations, holidays, required quotas, etc etc that are for people just because of their color. And yet, there are people, like comments made above, that continue to think they are at a disadvantage and are being discriminated. My point is that we all need to take responsibility for our own actions and not make it a race thing.
Odd. The statue of her is in the seated position. Maybe the writer needs to look at the photos before trying to make cutesy remarks. I know a white pregnant woman who was thrown off one of those airport carts by Jesse Jackson and his goon squad because they needed it. Times sure have changed.
Noticed they changed their opening sentence. I still stand by my Jesse Jackson remark, though.
Always excuses for Jesse Jackson and anything his family does or does not do. They are pitiful.
There was more staging involved in her moment of "greatness" than most Hollywood movie productions. And being that she was a willing schill for the NAACP equal rights movement, labels her nothing more than an attention w**re.
A "willing schill(sic) for the NAACP"?
"Attention whore"?
WTF are you even talking about?
Who cares if it was staged? It still took courage and it worked.
It does not matter that it was staged, the issue at hand and the outcome remains the same. It took courage for Rosa Parks to be a willing participant at such a volatile time in our country. Taking part in the quest for Civil Rights could put ones family and job in jeopardy.
Not to mention GET YOU KILLED (or seriously beat up in the process).
Gen. Douglas MacArthur's landing on Leyte was staged. The Marines raising the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima was staged. The sailor kissing the nurse was staged. How do you think they got those great photographs?
Many great moments in history are staged. Get used to it.
The moon landing was great theatre.
@Cozytrash
The ONLY thing true in your entire post is you identifying yourself as trash.
Cozy"white"trash would be more appropriate.
This is a good way to spend a little tax money. I can get with this one, especially since Bush did it. I really just want to see if Obamastalin goes the long route with his speech and after three words about her, diverts off into how it relates to social control, or his non existant economic policies, or that we need to tax and spend more to keep the busses rolling or some lame thing. He will, and he'll be standing there with a couple of military people ordered to stand behind him, couple of Sharpton and Jacksons behind him, maybe a police officer and firefighter... And somehow he will tie in teachers and auto manufacturers. Oh, and of course his families own personal struggles from coming from slavery to fighting for civil rights.... even though his father was an upper middle class young man from Kenya when he came here, and his mother was a pure white Iowa farm girl decendant. Hey, anyone remember during the election when all the media was fawning over some geneologist discovering that Obamastalin was the decendant of a rich slave owner, I think Jefferson or Washington, and a slave? They played that one up for about 3 days until someone finally broke through the media wall and told everyone, no way it could have been that way? Oh well, in case no one noticed I diverged from the point of the comment into Obamastalin talk to kind of make a point over what he will do today while honoring this true woman of freedom and equality.
Obama's nonexistent economic policies????? LOLOL
Maybe you should read the news more often.
"obamastalin"? eyeroll
OK, what is his economic plan? Tax policy? Budet? Anything? No, not talking about what new thing he pops up with day to day, what is the plan? Nothing, you have nothing do you? Maybe you should read the news less, and just find the big picture. And ya, Obamastalin.... maybe you should read a little history and a little of the history of your president. eyeroll.
What does this have to do with Rosa Parks statue?
Any thread about any story will always bring out the Obama bashers. Always, you can bet money on it.
Realistic woman, and any thread that has anything to do with obama will bring out the race baiters. So whats your point? You can bet money on that.
The dude will turn this statue into his own salute to himself today, and to push his agenda... watch.
@Gofigureit, you proved my point.
Gofigureit...have you ever read a single paragraph about Stalin? My guess is no if you think he has anything in common with the president. You might disagree with his policies, but as far as we know Obama hasn't slaughtered anyone.
Yes, I have studied government and history for over 30 years. And yes, I am very aware of Stalins policies and how they are quite the same as many of Obamas actions. And as I learn about more of obamas past personal history and associations similarities become striking. But of course, their own personal backgrounds were somewhat different, and no, Obama would have a difficult time wiping out the opposition through murder, but politically.... hmmmm. Perhaps you should go read and study a bit. Not just Stalin, but all the little power mongers through history follow the same general path. Good luck in your learning.
Proved what point? That someone can get you to chase your own tail thinking you are getting closer? single move player vs. seven move player vs. multiple outcome game player. Too much fun.
Gofigureit you speak of learning and reading, but you still come across as an idiot.
Lay off the Glenn Beck.
Glenn who? Tell me about this Glenn Beck person, you seem to be familiar. And you come across as pure genius.
While her act of defiance should be duly noted for history, the US Capitol is not the correct venue. This statue needs to be placed in Grand Circus Park in Downtown Detroit. This is NOT a racist statement.
have you seen the other statues in the Capitol's Statuary Hall? Take a look--there are many famous Americans represented.
Sorry- don't put the statue in Detroit's Grand Circus Park -- the vandals will only steal it and sell it for the metal's scrap value just like they've stolen the copper wiring out of the city's street lights.
The U.S. Capitol is absolutely the correct venue. Ms. Parks was from Alabama, not Michigan or Detroit. Why would you pick Detroit?
You don't have to answer. In the same way most people see the racism in your statement, they also know why you picked "Detroit" for a woman from Alabama who made history IN Alabama.
But the thought of having the statue in Alabama never crossed your mind, huh? Nope. First place you thought of was "Detroit". No, I didn't read any racism in your statement whatsoever.
Rightwing redneck racists will hate this statue no doubt,because it represents a truly fine,educated black woman. You know these racists hate all and any minorities. They yearn for the "good' old day of segregation,lynchings and Klan meetings. They fly their Confederate flags,which is the flags of traitors. I wipe my behind with that piece of garbage flag.
Anthony, I cry for the black youth of today who don't seem to do anything to better themselves. Most black youth aren't going to college, having babies when they are in their young teen years, live off the government, etc.. Sometimes it seems as though the civil rights movement was all for nothing, all forgotten, all part of the past.
The black youth of today are into music, movies, money, etc. not into bettering themselves and educating themselves.
Wow Anthony dude, did you read your comment? Seeing any similarities there between you and the people you are condeming? You are too funny.
Shut up Anthony.
ANTHONYVET: You say she was an educated Black women? What did she do for living besides ride buses?? I never heard of her working her whole life.
Lisa P--Maybe you need to look at how black youth are treated by society--constantly put down, schools underfunded, no jobs, police pulling them over and constantly frisking them. If it happened to you, you'd lash out too.
Hey Bart! Who is constantly putting them down? When and where? Inner city schools recieve nearly 400% more funding on average than suburban schools, and have budgets that are almost three times that of rural middle class schools (HEW stats). As an old white guy, I was pulled over for going 37 in a 30 zone a few weeks ago on my way to the store after work late at night. The cop asked me to get out, and frisked me for his own safety. And I think I look kind of normal and non criminal. But, really, it didn't bother me because I had nothing to hide so what was the big deal? I think the black leadership that wormed their way into making tons of bucks off perpetuating hate and separation, and bunches of crooked politicians driving home big federal money to their home economies through social programs has done more to keep us all separated more than any "pat dow". Keep on lowering those standards.
@LisaP, once again your ignorance is showing. All youth are into music, movies and money. Do you know that there are HBCU's (Historical Black Colleges and Universities) full of blacks getting an education? I hope that this doesn't make your head explode, but I graduated from one. Stop making these asinine statements and speaking about Blacks like you know us. You don't.
@Tarzan7, if it won't hurt you too much, research Mrs. Parks. Just a click of a mouse and you'll gain a wealth of real, factual information, like she had a job and she did volunteer work.
Realistic Woman: Good for you! Except, I don't see this with the majority of black folks in the Washington DC area (where I live). What I see is a lot of African-American women (who work as secretaries) trying to push their kids in the right direction, only to have their kids leave HS and go work in menial jobs. They work so hard for them only for their kids to have kids at young ages, etc. Their friends are the same. It's very sad. One lady gave/gives her kids all they need (food, clothes, electronics, etc) so they won't go work and not get an education. She (single parent) was successful in getting her daughter to go to a good college. I helped her daughter apply for scholorships, grants, etc. since her mom had no idea about anything to do with college.
In addition, my mom just recently found out that her longtime acquantence from church (in her 40s) never went to college. We always assumed she did (she's very smart) and always wondered why she worked for the church instead of getting a better job with benefits. Turnes out she never knew the community college close by gave free grants the first two years. :-o My mom was flabergasted.
I love these so called "Christian" Rightwing racists who hate minorities. I bet their Jesus wears a cape and hood and burns crosses no doubt. Of course the" true" Jesus was a darker skinned man who was a pure Liberal. He hung out with all the type of people Rightwingers despise.
Jesus was fair skinned with blue eyes. Just look at all his pictures.
i highly doubt that jesus was white with blue eyes. i think he was more yellowish-white with dark brown eyes.
Anthony... not that I disagree entirely with your statement. But how do you know that Jesus was a darker skinned man and a liberal? In my church he was not depicted that way in paintings... and I highly doubt he was depicted as a liberal... quite the opposite. Just wondering.
Well isn't that something. The bible supported slavery in the strongest terms. The New Testiment Book of Philemmon was written as an admonishment to a runaway slave instructing him to return and submit to his master. Later on, calvinist protestants cited this and other writings in the bible to support their cause for slavery in the colonies. If Jesus had said just one line in that bible to denounce slavery, then slavery would have ceased with the fall of the Roman empire 1400 years before it finally did. WWJD is not the question. 'What didn't Jesus do?' is.
Ah Anthony, got some hate going on there don't you? You are too funny again.
Hey I wonder if the homeboy that attacked her and robbed her and did even know who she was will be there? Remember that one, well if you done I bet you will never see it again on our fair and balanced media ever repeat this story.
Congratulations to Rosa Parks and her family! It will remind us that we had to stand against hatred and the GOP!
So if you ride in the back of the bus you can get a statue of yourself in the Capitol. What is this country coming to. All you have to do is look at the South side of Chicago, Detroit, Hammond Ind, milwaukee, los angeles, Atlanta, Alabama, etc. to see how far they have really come. Blacks with their Black president have got the country by the B---s.
Tummy499410 I hate to break this to you, but all of the southern politians who were in favor of segregation, were members, and hold on to yourself, Dumbocrats. The Cival Rights bill that LBJ rammed through Congress only pass becuase a number of Republicks voted for it. Because guys like Al gore father wasn't etc. But I guess your liberal progressive union teachers never told you that. Ok back to texting.
@Tarzan7, why don't you test out your hypothesis. Go to one of those cities you named and sit on the back of the bus. And say the things that you type here and if you make it out, I can't promise you a statue, but I'll buy you some McDonald's. Would you like that?
With fries and a strawberry shake? Sounds good.
My family has had people who have served in the military since the Revolutionary war. I'm especially proud of my decedents who served in the Union Army during the Civil war. They killed many Confederate traitors. They were true patriotic heroes. Confederates were traitors pure and simple.
Last year, Kanye West sang at the Macy's Christmas parade. He was on a float singing and dancing and then he proceeded to grap his crotch. It went on and on and was on nationwide TV. My children were sitting on the couch watching with me. I guess that will make all those Union soldiers turn over in their graves.
ANTHONYVET
As I am proud of my family who has served since the revolutionary war ,and i'm especially proud of my ancestors who fought in the war between the states and killed many union invaders. Hilarious, they thought they would pack a picnic lunch and go watch the Virginians get run over. Sorry didn't happen that way.
Anthony, you should be VERY proud. Your forefathers fought against blatant, despicable evil.
You can dress hatred up in all the Southern finery and rhetoric you have at your disposal, but the fact remains that hatred lost the Civil War and freedom won.
The next time anyone contests the accusations that conservatives are racist, I will simply direct them to this comment page for proof.
Cameron Ford, I believe every person deserves the right to be judged by their actions, their heart, their character, the things that they personally do, not their skin color, race, nationality, or gender. If a person does good things, then they deserve to be considered a good person. If they do bad things, they deserve to be considered bad. ---- And I am what most people would call conservative. Their is only one race of people ----- the human race.
Saying "all conservatives are racist" is no different than some of the "all blacks are lazy" nonsense posted by people here. Dickheads come from all political persuasions, religions, and colors.
Do not be discouraged by this conservative racist nonsense.
I'm an old white Southern guy and I know Rosa Parks is getting the honor and love she most certainly deserves. I saw white men beat, murder and bomb black churches all across the South, but not all white conservatives took part in this cowardice. Nonetheless, the sad fact is our American landscape is littered with the corpses of people who were terrified of change and could not face their hatred.
The South will never rise again and thank god for that.
...Lloyd, from one "old timer" to another, one white, one black, both Americans; thank you for the sanity, the truth and the light. These youngsters have no idea what it was like, back then. no idea at all; the courage and commitment shown on both sides of "the color line", by black and white, alike, to stand in the face of bigotry, in the name of justice and freedom? It was a sight to behold; one that, hopefully, this country will never have to see again. Remember those old Vietnam era bumper stickers, my man: "If you weren't there, keep our mouth shut, you have nothing to say!" These "kids" have no idea what the hell they're talking about, arguing about; they have absolutely nothing to say. Live the rest of your days in peace; and, from what you've written, in the certain knowledge that your God knows you deserve it.
Take care and take heart, buddy...
Pop's here... (aka "Yoda45)
Again this president does something stupid it's a slap in the face to black people. How about Martin Luther King where's his statue oh I forgot he was a republican.
Didn't you know? That chinese artist guy took a statue of The Budda and reshaped its face to resemble MLK. Google it and you will see.
Hmmm..Bush commissioned this statue and MLK's statue in on the National Mall.
Next.
who are BOTH criminals!. MLK caused riots, and great loss, rosa parks violated the law, is this what we want to celebrate, criminals? it don't make sense!.
Jesus and Gandhi were "criminals", too. How many decades did Nelson Mandela spend in jail?
Nelson was a murderer. Have you ever heard of a Mandella necktie? Thats where they dip a tire in gasoline and put it around the prisoner's neck and light in on fire.
Rosa Parks violated nothing but her right to equality as a human being. MLK did not cause the riots, the bigots that tried to stop him did. Jesus was a renegade heretic Jew and Gandi was killed by Muslim Pakistani whom he threatened by his message of peace.
I hardly consider her a criminal.
MLK's statue is in the National Mall. Both the MLK and the Rosa Parks Statues were commissioned by the Bush Administration. President Obama had nothing to do with their creation. Sorry all you racist idiots who cant spell.
... word has it that the statue was commissioned by GW Bush, and to his credit, I might add. And, how is a woman who stood up to he "GD" Alabama "KKK" (they were bombing blacks out of their homes and churches, in Alabama, at the time) a "slap in the face" to black people. And finally, idiot, at 67 years old I can tell you, without reservation, that just about every black man or women I knew, back then (my mother and father included) was a member of "The Party of Lincoln" (aka "The Republican Party") in those days. As my younger "brothers and sisters" say, "The script has been flipped", since the followers of Strom Thurmond, and the rest of the "Old Confederacy" came out of "the closet" and you know we know it. That MLK was a "republican thing" is "dog that don't hunt" no more; as a matter of fact, the damn thing died with Nixon, and y'all ought to let it lay stinking in the unmarked hole in the ground it was buried in. Have a nice day, you disingenuous "toad"!
shovelface said:
Whats more important than pandering to the minorities!? Ta hell with all those working and paying taxes so the country can pay its bills and keep the PLANTATION FED!
Tell me something shovel, other than being a minority, what else can can you tell me about Rosa Parks and the movement she started, better still what have you done that would compare to courage this woman has shown. This woman started an entire movement, you on the other hide behind a keyboard and make sophomoric racist comments. You're nothing more than a scared little coward. To you I say this, the best antidote to fear is knowledge. Think about it. You may become a better person. Or not...
Like my dad said who was A B-26 Marauder pilot who flew 26 missions over Germany in WWII defending freedom.
"Every time you saw them on the news there was a RIOT going on in the background" That's what I remember.
Look at Chicago and DC and take note of all their contributions to society. And don't forget rap, listen to the lyrics of the culture sometime and ask yourself if you want your daughter listening to or condoning that garbage.
Just stating some STONE COLD FACTS. But as usual, the "TRUTH" and "FACTS" are now considered"RACISTS" right?
Big deal, I flew F4's in the middle east, and you are still ignorant. So let's try this again, other than her being a minority, what do yo know about Rosa Parks? If your answer is your dad seeing riots in the background on TV then you truly don't know what was happening right before your very eyes. And finally, if your dad did in fact did say that about the riots it proves that stupidity runs in your family.
Typical. It is not for any "work" done.
The work done was to change a whole country. What work have YOU done?
Defended our nation.
LOLOLOLOLOLOL. We would have been just fine without your "defending the nation." From what, those scary weapons of mass destruction??
Bart conner: What change are you talking about? The destruction of Chicago, Detroit, the riots in Los Angeles, the Black violence all over the country. once beautiful neighborhoods all over the country now blighted with boarded up crack houses. Is that the change you are talking about? Better look around you are leading a life with your head in the sand, as are most Do Gooders.
Bart, you asked, but apparently the the only defense you have is to ridicule honorable service. You are diminished.
Hundreds of millions of people work hard every day, repeat, hundreds of millions and every day. It's commonplace. If they erected a statue for people who work hard, the Right would come out against it and claim it's pandering to the Unions.
Ms. Parks did not receive this statue for her hard work as a seamstress. You do understand that she was employed and a productive member of society.
Ms. Parks deserves her statue and it's placement in the Capitol because her moment on the bus was a singular moment in the dismantling of segregation in this country. It changed America forever, and that change can be traced directly back to her. What happened to her has been taught in just about every American High School history class for the last 30+ years.
So you are correct that her statue has nothing to do with her being a seamstress. But if you are trying to imply that somehow it's undeserved, then you clearly don't understand American History, regardless of your honorable service to our Country. This woman's act of bravery is not taught in every American History class because of "Jesse and Al" (everyone's favorite scapegoats). It's a stand alone act of valor, and it changed this nation for the better, FOREVER. It's an act of bravery that has been recognized for over 50 years.
And the changes that were made because of it are now part of the freedoms that our military men and women valiantly fight to preserve.
Typical you say? It's hardly typical. In fact, her act of bravery and the subsequent dismantling of segregation is about unique as it gets. The only thing "typical" are closed minded people who refuse to accept that Ms. Parks had a HUGE impact on America.