Rosa Parks

Today being the final day of February and thus the final day of "Black History Month", I consider it fit to honor the memory of Rosa Parks.

You may ask, dear reader, "What has Rosa Parks to do with San Antonio?" True, her civil rights activism was to the east, in Alabama. However, she could be considered the ultimate bus rider, anywhere. Or, since she has left this earthly life, she could be the patron saint of all us bus riders, everywhere.

And it just so happens that VÍA Metro Transit is honoring Rosa Parks, on all their buses. Seating on the VÍA buses is blue. But since the start of this year the first window-side seat facing forward behind the driver carries bright yellow pads on the back and the sitting part. The yellow back contains an inscription to the effect that the seat is dedicated to the memory of Rosa Parks. During this month I've noticed an increasing number of buses that now carry in the above-the-windows slot for advertisement posters, a poster that explains the significance of Rosa Parks, "1913-2005 civil rights pioneer". Its text reads as follows:

"The unique seat located below is dedicated to the memory of Rosa Parks. Her refusal to move from a bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 sparked a bus boycott and helped usher in the civil rights movement, changing public transportation and American society. as you sit here, remember her courageous stand."

Next to this writing is a well-known photo of Rosa, sitting beside and looking out a forward bus window, while behind her sits a white businessman, who is looking at a 90-degree angle from Rosa's gaze. By his natural gaze in place of staring directly at Rosa, he's signaling acceptance of Blacks as equal, ordinary, average riders on the same bus!
%