Rosa

Hiyadin? long time, no post, i know... but here's the deal... i've been really busy with class and the radio station... speaking of which, the station is beginning to grow... we got a new studio set up for redording, and we're getting ready to have a pretty big concert next friday... but the real reason i wanted to post was that a buddy of mine wrote something, and i wanted to spread it to everyone else, since it's also how i feel and i thikn everyone should read it:

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Thank you, Rosa

Rosa Parks, alive at the age of 92. The lady with the shimmering white hair, wrinkled skin, and sweet voice has passed from this world. Although the spirit of Rosa Parks is alive and well within the modern day civil rights movement.

Thank you Rosa. Rosa what a sweet name. I thank you for all that you have done. No, not really for me directly, but what you have done for this country. Certainly, and without a doubt, there was racial bigotry within the United States and still is, but you helped to bring equality that African-Americans so deserved. I cannot forget what you have taught me; sure some will say I cannot understand what blacks go through and the truth is, I cannot. Whatever the case you have taught me to be strong and to take a seat when I need to and to stand and be strong in my convictions.

Oh, to have a day to sit and talk to you. Not just about the Movement, but about life and loving who we are. You have no doubt encountered set backs not only during the time of the Movement, but when the Parks Institute struggled to make ends meet when it opened. The trip taken each year to key places of the Civil Rights Movement cost much money, but you and your group found ways to make it work each year. You were determined. You were focused.

Perhaps you were determined the day you sat down in the seat of that bus. Determined to get a seat and take a load off; you deserved it, you were a human being. I guess that's the question that faces us today with the influx of many different cultures into the United States. How do we get along? A broad question that has many answers; chances are we all could give a different answer, but the answer to racial bigotry among the people of the United States is to listen.

Listen? Yes, Rosa, perhaps that's it. I think that's what the Civil Rights Movement wanted; someone in the White House to listen to their voice, the voice declared given to all in the declaration of Independence. We all deserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We all need to listen to the different races, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds to see and know what it is we can do to not separate and alienate each other, but to come together and become United, standing as One.

When countries look at us I am sure they do not see many united states, but rather millions of people who stare at the color of skin, close their ears to the sound of an accent, and walk away from those who dress differently. We are a vulnerable country and until we can make progress against the bigotry, America will not be united. Every voice will not be heard. Democracy will cease.

Thank you Rosa. Thank you for your courage and willingness to act; to take a seat. I hope America will follow your lead and be willing to act to grow together. To know we are the Salad Bowl of the world. We all each add our own little bit to create a beautiful mix. I am thankful for my peculiarities, the way I was created. However, I am thankful we have something in common Rosa, we are human, and everyone in this country deserves rights and to have freedom, regardless.

You, Rosa, are alive and well. I am listening, still.
# posted by J. Zachary Bailes @ 12:38 PM

(reposted by permission)


Thanks, Bailes....

Adios, everyone