Rosa Parks, My Hero Poem by RoseAnn V. Shawiak

Looking about, noticing the crowd here at the MLK breakfast,
thinking we have come a long way since 1961.

Back then, moving to Arizona in December, we had to travel
the southern route to get here.

How well I can remember when we stopped at a small restaurant,
got out of our vehicle and walked to the door.

There was a sign in the window next to the door, it read: 'no
coloreds allowed! '

Why, I wondered, I was eleven years old, and had no
understanding of this horrendous statement.

Back in New Jersey, my best friend was colored, as was
politically correct in those days.

There was nothing wrong with her I thought, as we ate by
the window, I watched as they walked by us, seeing no
difference.

This little mind was in a quandary and there was no
explanation.

Deciding then and there that nothing was wrong with my
friend, therefore, there was nothing wrong with anyone
who was colored.

From that point on being color blind, it was the choice
of an eleven year old child, but it hasn't changed at all
through the years.

Today, I find myself at the MLK breakfast celebration,
listening to many people talking about 'the dream'.

Yet, I'll never forget another time when eleven, yelling,
'alright! Rosa Parks is the greatest! She stood up to
everyone! Alright Rosa!

Thinking she was the greatest person alive because she
had the courage to do what she was supposed to be able
to do all along in the United States of America.

To this day, thinking we should be celebrating a Rosa
Parks holiday.

Being admired within this mind, even at the MLK award
breakfast, wishing you were receiving an award for just
being, because you are.

A little lady on a bus broke open the world, made it
take notice, not only for the colored, but for women
everywhere.

Our thanks, mine especially, for all she has done with
an action, silently, no hundreds of unmeaning words to
mar her courageous act of faith.

Faith that she would not be thrown off the bus, faith
in people, that they would do the right thing.

Your steadfast faith and courage have stayed with me
all these years.

(8: 59 a.m. - 1/12/01)