The Most Famous “No” in American History

How do we make the world that we want to live in? And how can we become one of its leaders?

In the lexicon of the strong and determined, there is no word “impossible.” We see America today at the top of the world, as the strongest country militarily and economically, leading the rest of the countries of the world. To those who undervalue history, considering it merely to be the language of the past, we say: the man in the White House has black skin and only 50 years ago America was at the peak of racism and discrimination. American law was racist, differentiating between American citizens based on their color. Blacks were the slaves and whites the masters. It was normal to see signs posted in most shops and restaurants with the words written on them, “No Dogs or Blacks can enter.” And this remained the case, until a figure arrived with new desires, believing in her power to conquer the impossible. She said ‘no’ to that dark reality, and this was the most famous ‘no’ in American history. Did she eliminate racism and change the lives of millions of people?

This is what happened: One cold evening in December 1955, Rosa Parks, a colored woman who worked as a tailor, gathered her things and prepared to return home after a hard day’s work. Rosa walked the street clutching her purse trying to keep warm. She then crossed the street and waited for the public bus to take her to her home. During her wait, Rosa watched in pain a scene repeated all over America at that time, as a black man stood up from his seat so that a white man could take his place. At that time, this behavior did not stem from some brotherly spirit or a bit of civility, but because the American laws at that time prohibited a black man from sitting while a white man stood, even if the seated person was an old, infirm, black woman and the white man a man in the prime of his youth. A violation of that law meant a fine for the old woman.

All of these racist practices caused sadness within Rosa, and pain and anger. How long were they treated as inferior to the whites. Why are they despised? Why are they always in the back of the class? Why are they classified with animals? Why? Why?

When the bus met her, Rosa decided something in her heart. So, she found a seat and sat down. Then the second stop came and a passenger boarded. Quietly, a white man walked towards Rosa waiting for her to stand, as per the law at that time. But she looked toward him without emotion and turned back to looking at the road once more. She didn’t leave her place. She angered the white man; how could this old black woman not stand for a white man? The white man began cursing Rosa and threatening her for not standing. She remained seated and said ‘no, I will not get up from my place.’ The rest of the passengers were stunned, whites and blacks alike, by Rosa’s behavior and her saying ‘no.’ There was nothing for the driver to do but contact the police to deal with this black woman who had alarmed the white masters, the law and established order. She was arrested and given a $15 fine for infringing on the rights of others. From here came the spark that spread throughout America, inspiring blacks in every state to begin agitation that threatened everything. Groups of blacks controlled the situation and prevented chaos from erupting. Instead they chose to boycott public transportation and demand their rights as people. They demanded fair treatment and equality between them and the white citizens. For a period of 381 days, things remained tense. America suffered from a rift that almost tore it apart, taking the country to the brink of civil war. In the end, the Supreme Court ruled on her case, revoking her fine and striking a blow against racial discrimination based on color.

We were reminded of Rosa’s actions on hearing the director of the Henry Ford museum announce that the old bus in which these events occurred had been purchased for $492,000. This is the bus that awoke the Civil Rights movement. In 1994, while in her 80s, Rosa Parks published a book under the title “The Great Power,” in which she mentioned her feelings on that famous day. She said that she remembered her fathers and forefathers, and took refuge in God, who gave her the strength that he gives to those in need.

On the Oct. 24, 2005, thousands of mourners gathered to share in the funeral of Rosa the American civil rights leader. That day millions wept as the flag was flown at half mast and her body was honored as it lay in rest at Capitol Hill. Her burial was impossible to miss, attended by presidents and leaders, and her chest was laden with medals, including the Medal of Freedom, which was presented to each of her children. Through the most famous ‘no’ in American history, she had made it possible for a black man to become president of America.

Do you see how the Arabs could say ‘no’ and change our lives? Personally, I think that in the Arab world there are hundreds of Rosa Parks and we will hear the word ‘no’ soon, God willing.