We Mourn a Great American

I am sure that by now you have all heard of the passing of Rosa Parks, activist, and catalyst of the final stage of the Civil Rights Movement. One word. That's all it took. One ember to set ablaze the smoldering passions of Black America and to starkly light up just how "separate but equal" had betrayed the best intentions of America the Free, Land of Democracy.

"No."

She simply said "no." No to the back of the bus. No to Separate water fountains. Separate schools. Lunch Counters. Treat us like human beings we are worthy of at least that dignity. I can't even imagine what that must have been like, and I am glad I can't.

We, as Americans, have come a very long way in race relations. Most of the Overt signs of Jim Crow have long since vanished. However, it still exists in subtler forms, even today. As Rosa Parks shuffled off her mortal coil, News corporations perpetuate the stereotype of looting black people down in New Orleans, and some blacks believe that the government weakened the levees on purpose. Trust is still fully lacking. I can only hope it lessens with each generation. We can continue Rosa Park's legacy by confronting the worst in ourselves and in others, and simply uter that one word

No.