Who is Rosa Parks?

This week, to celebrate Black History Month in the US, we are shining a light on one of the most influential figures in American history. Her relentless efforts for social justice and equality made her a powerful voice of the civil rights movement, and her work and legacy still endures today, alongside figures such as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. So today we remember the life, the work, and the legacy of this great individual as I ask… who is Rosa Parks.

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Special guest for this episode:

• Dr. Nicholas Grant, a historian of twentieth century United States and author of 'Winning Our Freedoms Together: African Americans and Apartheid, 1945-1960.' His research focuses on race, internationalism and transnational activism.
• Dr. Jeanne Theoharis, a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College of City University of New York. She is the author of numerous books and articles on the civil rights and Black Power movements and the politics of race and education in the US, including The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks.

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Highlights from this episode:

• Rosa Parks' childhood experiences with racial violence shaped her beliefs about self-defense and activism.
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott was not just a single event but a culmination of ongoing resistance.
• Rosa Parks' activism extended beyond the bus boycott, influencing civil rights and black power movements.
• Many women, like Claudette Colvin, played crucial roles in the bus resistance before Parks' arrest.
• Parks' legacy is often simplified, overshadowing her lifelong commitment to social justice and equality.
• The importance of community organizing and collective action was vital for the boycott's success.

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Additional Resources:

READ: The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis

READ: King of the North: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life of Struggle Outside the South  by Jeanne Theoharis

READ: Rosa Parks' Legacy Stained By Court Feud, Accusations Of Corruption

READ: Biography: Rosa Parks 

READ: Who was Rosa Parks, and what did she do in the fight for racial equality? 

WATCH: Watch Freedom Riders | American Experience | Official Site | PBS 

WATCH: The Case of the Scottsboro Boys

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And if you like this episode, you might also love:

What Do We Get Wrong About the Civil Rights Movement?

What Challenge Does Black Lives Matter Present to America?

What is the Civil Rights Act?

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