Rosa Parks 1955: Refusing to Give Seat — Reading Comprehension

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested in Montgomery, Alabama for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus. This single act became a critical turning point in the fight against racial segregation in the United States. Segregation was a system of laws and customs that forced Black and white people to use separate public facilities. Montgomery’s city buses had strict rules: Black passengers were required to sit in the back and give up seats to white passengers if the bus became crowded.

Parks’ decision did not happen by chance. She was deeply involved with the local NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), an organization committed to ending racial injustice. Parks, a respected seamstress, had experienced discrimination throughout her life. She later explained, "I was tired of giving in." This statement, drawn from her autobiography, reveals her personal motivation: she wanted to challenge a system she believed was unfair and humiliating.

However, not everyone agreed with Parks' actions. Many white citizens and city officials saw her refusal as a direct challenge to their authority and the established social order. They argued that the law should be obeyed to maintain "peace" and "order." In contrast, Black community leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., viewed Parks’ arrest as an opportunity to protest injustice. They organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a large-scale protest where Black residents refused to ride city buses. This boycott lasted over a year and required tremendous courage and unity from the Black community.

The causes of the boycott were complex. Daily discrimination, economic hardship, and a desire for dignity all played roles. Parks’ arrest was the immediate cause, but years of unfair treatment and growing frustration provided the fuel. The boycott’s solution was collective action: for 381 days, thousands of Black riders walked, carpooled, or found other ways to get to work and school. The city’s bus system lost significant revenue, which pressured officials to reconsider the law.

After much struggle, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. This legal victory was not just a win for Montgomery’s Black citizens. It became a powerful symbol for the broader Civil Rights Movement, inspiring further protests and legal challenges across the country. Yet, the victory was not absolute. Many white citizens responded with anger, threats, and even violence. Black activists faced arrests, job loss, and harassment. The struggle for equality required ongoing effort and sacrifice.

This event highlights the importance of ordinary people in shaping history. Parks did not act alone; her community supported her. The boycott showed how nonviolent protest could create real change. As Dr. King said during the boycott, "We must meet hate with love." This primary source quote emphasized the movement’s strategy of peaceful resistance, even when faced with hatred and violence.

In conclusion, Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat was more than a moment of personal bravery. It was a calculated act of resistance that ignited a mass movement, challenged unjust laws, and forced the nation to confront its contradictions on race and democracy. The Montgomery Bus Boycott remains a testament to the power of collective action and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

Interesting Fact: Rosa Parks was not the first person arrested for refusing to give up her seat in Montgomery, but her case sparked the most widespread protest and national attention.

What year did Rosa Parks refuse her seat?

Which city was the bus protest in?

What was the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

Why did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her seat?

How did the city react to the boycott?

What strategy did Dr. King promote?

The bus boycott lasted 381 days. True or false?

What does 'segregation' mean?