FIGHT FOR RESPECT

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS-FIGHT FOR JUSTICE-FIGHT FOR RESPECT

Standing up for your principles can have unpleasant consequences , and many of us are unwiling to pay the price for doing the right thing. In 1955 , however an extraordinarily brave African-American woman, Rosa Parks , changed the history of the USA by refusing to accept an unfair situation

In the 1950s , black Americans were often treated like second-class citizens , especially in the south of the country . In some states, there were laws that enforced segregation( separating people of different races ) .For example , black and white children went to different schools in these states. African Americans did not have the same social and economic opportunities as white Americans , and did not have the same access to education and health care facilities.

Rosa Parks was born and grew up in Alabama .Even as a young girl , she was aware that black people were not treated equally or fairly . School buses took white children to school , but black children had to walk to their school . Rosa also remembered being frightened by the violent behaviour of some white people towards African Americans in her neighbourhood.

In 1955 , Rosa was living and working in Montgomery , Alabama . On 1 december  Rosa got on a bus to go home after work . At that time, in Alabama , public transport was segregated .Only white people were allowed to sit in the first four rows of seats , so Rosa sat in the fifth row. After a few stops , the bus had filled up, and one white man didn’t have a seat . The bus driver ordered the people in  Rosa’s row to give up their seats. The other three people stood up, but Rosa refused. Then the driver called the police and Rosa was arrested . Later when Rosa explained her actions , she said that she was tired of injustice and wanted to put an end to such humiliating situations.

Rosa’s arrest sparked a series of protests . The first of these was a bus boycott . The organisers asked black people not to use buses in Montgomery until the racist segregation laws were changed . A group called the Montgomery Improvement Association(MIA) was formed to help organise the boycott and other protests. The leader of this group was Dr Martin Luther King , who went on to become one of the greatest heroes of the civil rights movement

The bus boycott lasted 381 days and was very difficult for those black people who were regular bus users, it was effective though .The bus company and other businesses in the centre of town that relied on black customers began to lose money . In the end as a direct result of the boycott, the law was changed and black people could sit everywhere they like on public transport .

Rosa Parks showed the people of Us and the world , that one person can make the difference. Her message , that all people are equal regardless of their race. MY message , never give up your rights , never let anyone offend your dreams , offend your feelings , you are uniqe in this world and you deserve respect , and equal treatment at all aspects !!!!!!!

                                                            K O N S T A N T I N O S

                                                                                                              K A L E M I S