"I don't mean to take anything away from Mrs. Parks, but Claudette gave us all the courage to do what we did."- Fred Gray, Civil Rights Attorney
Rosa Parks' Involvement
Rosa first met Claudette when she was asked by powerful black
leader E.D. Nixon to help out with her case, months before Rosa would take her own stand. Rosa helped fundraise for Claudette as well as kept records of her donations.
Rosa Parks was arrested December 1, 1955, 9 months after
Claudette Colvin. Some speculate that she was chosen as the face of the boycott because she was married, an adult, and light skinned. She “bridged classes”.
Contrary from Claudette’s arrest, Rosa’s went much smoother. Only 2 officers were called to the scene, and Rosa was never described as assaulting anyone. Rosa was alone when she took her stand, and she didn’t protest her arrest.
leader E.D. Nixon to help out with her case, months before Rosa would take her own stand. Rosa helped fundraise for Claudette as well as kept records of her donations.
Rosa Parks was arrested December 1, 1955, 9 months after
Claudette Colvin. Some speculate that she was chosen as the face of the boycott because she was married, an adult, and light skinned. She “bridged classes”.
Contrary from Claudette’s arrest, Rosa’s went much smoother. Only 2 officers were called to the scene, and Rosa was never described as assaulting anyone. Rosa was alone when she took her stand, and she didn’t protest her arrest.
Below are some videos that give general background information about Ms. Parks and her well-known role in the boycott, courtesy of the Biography Channel.
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An excerpt of a speech given by former President Clinton, glorifying Ms. Parks, but never mentioning Claudette Colvin:
"...the story of one brave woman and the ripples of of impact she had upon all the millions of people who lived in the United States. It is, in many ways, the quintessential story of the 20th century, a time with trials and tribulations which still, fundamentally, is the story of the triumph of freedom, of democracy over dictatorship, free enterprise over state socialism, of tolerance over bigotry...Forty-four years ago, Rosa Parks reminded us all that we were a long way from those ideals, that for millions of Americans, our history was full of weary years, our sweet land of liberty bearing only bitter fruit and silent tears. And so she sat, anchored to that seat, as Dr. King said, "by the accumulated indignities of days gone by and the countless aspirations of generations yet unborn". Rosa Parks said, "I didn't get on that bus to get arrested. I got on that bus to go home." In so many ways, Rosa Parks brought America home to our Founders' dream...But we know that in a funny way, people who have no position or money and have only the power of their courage and character are always there before the political leaders. We know that...I say it only to say we must never, ever-- when this ceremony is over-- forget about the power of ordinary people to stand in the fire for the cause of human dignity and to touch the hearts of people that have almost turned to stone."