How Rosa Parks has inspired me

I would like to explain why Rosa Parks is a role model to me by going back into black history. It all started in 1955, when Parks would not yield her seat to a white man on a Montgomery bus. She decided to fight for what was right.

Parks encourages me because she taught me to stand up for what is right; however, she showed me that it will not be easy. There will be things that try to stop you, but stay strong and you will achieve. I believe that Parks was able to be strong because she had God in her life.

God is someone everyone needs to look up to, for without him you have nothing. I know that is why she is such a great role model. She was a woman of great faith and strength. Parks encouraged everyone to read their bible and ask God for what they need. As a matter of fact, if we had more God in our schools and homes, there would be less trouble and grief.

Another thing she did was encourage the young people. Today, adults do not give enough attention to the young people. I love Parks for thinking of and caring for the youth in her times. A lot of the crimes in the United States are committed by teenagers and young adults. If there were more people worthy of imitation; "every child needs a role model" like Parks in our lives, we would think before we act. That's why I'm very active in local mentorship programs with the youth, because they are our future and our legacy.

It is up to us to mold them into the leaders that they have the potential to be. One person has the power, to make the changes in our world today. I'm a living witness to that statement, because I once was a troubled youth that could have easily fallen in the statistics of being unemployed or locked up, at least that's what they say about kids with one parent to raise them.

Until one cold winter day in Baxley, Ga., I was sitting in the classroom and my teacher asked us to do a research paper on Parks. I remember thinking to myself who is she? But, little did I know she was the missing piece to my puzzle.

Her courage, her wisdom and her beliefs made me realize my problems were nothing compared to what she had to go through and how I was closing every door of opportunity she had opened. Parks showed me I have a reason to continue to live. She has given me more confidence and respect for myself and my race. Instead of developing a hatred for whites, Parks refused to hate. Even though blacks were treated as second class citizens, Parks was able to bring about changes that gave blacks equal privileges. She, along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dedicated their lives to struggle and fight for equal rights for blacks. I believe Rev. Jesse Jackson summed it up when he said, "Just because it rains, you don't have to drown." Or when King said, "Walk in dignity, rather then shame. "Parks stood very strongly on saying that education will help you better yourself, which is true. All good jobs require a high school diploma and/or a college education. That is why I must finish this last year of college with courage and the strength of knowing that I am helping her make a difference. One thing that Parks said that stood out the most to me was, "I have learned that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear." This statement has helped me decide the direction that I want to go in my life that I must take. This led to my current enlistment into the United States Navy. Parks said achieve as much as you can, which is exactly what I plan to do. We recently loss Parks, which was a sad occasion for me because I never got a chance to tell her how much she meant to me. Parks I hope you're listening, you made a "phenomenal woman" out of me. Everyday I strive to live up to your character. I must admit it gets hard at times. But, when I think of you, it gives me strength and the courage to keep pushing forward. I have been falsely accused, talked about, misunderstood, and hated for standing up for what was right. Your life story has been my pillar of strength, letting me know to keep pushing forward, because the best is yet to come. Hopefully one day, I can be an influence to someone, like you have been to me. Today I am here to let everyone know that your death will not be in vain, you will forever live in me and everyone within the sound of my voice.