Rosa Parks- An Example to Us All

Since yesterday was Martin Luther King Jr. day, I felt it was important to discuss African American women's contribution to civil rights. And of course, my mind went directly to Rosa Parks. Martin Luther King Jr said in his famous, "I have a dream" speech, "I have a dream that [we] will live in a nation where [we] will not be judged by the color of [our] skin but by the content of [our] character." Rosa Parks proved her character. Before she took the stand to sit on the bus, Rosa had a background of civil rights involvement. Because she already had a strong foundation- a strong character of standing up for what was right- her highly influential and spontaneous decision to sit that day was simply an external expression of her character. She said of her act, "When I made that decision, I knew I had the strength of my ancestors with me". She had the confidence of truth to strengthen her as well. I've often heard that Rosa Parks said she was tired and didn't want to move. I refuse to believe that to be true. She knew the stakes of refusing to stand so a white person could have her seat. She knew she could go to jail for it, and she did. She knew there would be a price to pay, and that price would be more tiring than standing for a few minutes. Instead, she held strong in a seemingly small way, in what I'm sure was a fearful situation. Her "small" act went on to inspire a large scale boycott that eventually led the US Supreme Court to rule that Montgomery bus segregation law unconstitutional. Buses were then integrated. Rosa Parks was a courageous woman. Not only the color of her skin, but her gender was also a barrier for her to overcome at such a time. But nothing deterred her from protesting for change. She is a great example for us all. Though it often seems that the stands we take are small and insignificant, they make change. The choices we make everyday eventually lead to a big change in ourselves, and always affect those around us. Simple choices will strengthen others to make difference choices as well. So continue forward with choices in which you feel alone. Be strengthened by truth. Because just like Martin Luther King Jr said, one day, we will be judged based solely on our character.

The LDS church is the "most progressive force for women in the world today"

This is a really short post, but I felt it was definitely worth sharing. A good friend of mine sent me this article that I will not even attempt to shorten because it can't do it justice. Valerie Hudson Cassler is a professor of political science at Texas A&M and wrote an article about how the LDS faith has taught her the importance of women. Here is a link to her fabulous article:

http://mormonscholarstestify.org/1718/valerie-hudson-cassler


I love the last of what she writes saying that spreading this doctrine is the "strongest, most progressive force for women in the world today". 
I completely agree with that statement having seen it first hand. In my time in Armenia, the most progressive families I ever met were solid, truly converted members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As Cassler states earlier in her article, Mormon culture can sometimes go amiss in the treatment of women, yet the doctrine is solid and ever pointing to the equality of men and women. And the case was never truer than in Armenia. There were about 4 solid families I met where I could feel the respect I had grown up under appreciating in the US. And every one of those families were families who attended church on Sundays, read their scriptures and invited the spirit of the Lord into their homes. As I visited with families not of the LDS faith, I sometimes felt the disrespect of women so bitterly, it was overwhelming. So right on Valerie Hudson Cassler (I love how you use all 3 names), right on!