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A review by pattydsf
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis
4.0
“When asked what gave her the strength and commitment to refuse segregation, (Rosa) Parks credited her mother and grandfather "for giving me the spirit of freedom... that I should not feel because of my race or color, inferior to any person. That I should do my very best to be a respectable person, to respect myself, to expect respect from others.”
“Time and time again, she sought to show the roots—the legitimacy—of black rebellion. It galled her that black people were often told to wait, to be patient and not angry. She had long hated the ways black rebels were seen as freaks or demonized for their refusal to submit.”
This is the second book I have finished that was recommended by The Reverend Doctor William Barber. (http://www.breachrepairers.org/) During his mini-history lesson, he talked about the real Rosa Parks. I thought I knew who he was talking about.
Once again, history has done a disservice to a black woman. In this case we have rightly honored Rosa Parks for what we thought she did. However, her life was fuller, more interesting and harder than we ever imagined.
I accepted the story of Parks and her decision not to move out of her bus seat as fact. Over the years, I had heard that Parks was involved in the civil rights movement for many years and that seemed likely. However, I really never considered what happened to Parks and her family after the bus boycott.
This is why reading and paying attention to history is so important. How can I, for whom facts are important, know what is going on if I don’t find the right information. I should know by now not to accept the “facts” as presented.
This is an excellent biography. Theoharis has done her research well and helped this reader to see not only Parks more clearly, but some of American history more clearly. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th century America.
“Time and time again, she sought to show the roots—the legitimacy—of black rebellion. It galled her that black people were often told to wait, to be patient and not angry. She had long hated the ways black rebels were seen as freaks or demonized for their refusal to submit.”
This is the second book I have finished that was recommended by The Reverend Doctor William Barber. (http://www.breachrepairers.org/) During his mini-history lesson, he talked about the real Rosa Parks. I thought I knew who he was talking about.
Once again, history has done a disservice to a black woman. In this case we have rightly honored Rosa Parks for what we thought she did. However, her life was fuller, more interesting and harder than we ever imagined.
I accepted the story of Parks and her decision not to move out of her bus seat as fact. Over the years, I had heard that Parks was involved in the civil rights movement for many years and that seemed likely. However, I really never considered what happened to Parks and her family after the bus boycott.
This is why reading and paying attention to history is so important. How can I, for whom facts are important, know what is going on if I don’t find the right information. I should know by now not to accept the “facts” as presented.
This is an excellent biography. Theoharis has done her research well and helped this reader to see not only Parks more clearly, but some of American history more clearly. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th century America.