I couldn't help but overhear two men talking about Rosa Parks during their morning meal today. Rosa Parks being the 92 year old women, who almost 50 years ago, refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Challenging segregation in the South and some say inspired the civil rights movement like no other women has.

One man was stating that he felt that it was wrong that she should be given such a high honor, as to lie in the Capital Rotunda. An honor that he felt she did not earn, by breaking the law. Even if the law is now found out to be wrong. He went on to say, rather loudly, that it was George Bush's way of getting back some of the black voters after what had happened in New Orleans.

A women acrossed the way, sitting at the counter overheard the man and said in what I would also call a loud tone. "yeah, just like when they gave Martin Luther King that National Holiday."

I noticed a number of people shaking their heads in agreement and a just a few rolling their eyes at the other people they were sitting with.
In today's world it seems harder and harder for people to say what they really would like to say without others making them out to be the bad person. What do you folks here think about these people thoughts.

By the way, I am leaving out the people's race for a reason.


Thanks, Karl

Rosa Parks stood up for herself and was a pivotal part in the Civil Rights Movement and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. She deserves this honor.

Her "moment" was certainly pivotal, but I'm not sure she deserves to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda.

Many other Americans have done great or important things without being accorded such a high honor.

There may very well be some political motivation behind this decision, but what decision does any President make that doesn't have at least some politcal undertones?

I think that we are looking at this from a completely different perspective. I think that we've forgotten what enormous courage it took for people like Rosa Parks and Dr. King to protest their treatment. Blacks had certainly been killed for less. It's hard for us to imagine that now.

What about Malcolm X? Surely he did better things for the Civil Rights movement, but he goes unnoticed.

Not completley unnoticed, but you're right somewhat.

The British grandfather gave or risked his life for his country in the second world war. The American grandfather made elderly black women given him her seat on the bus.

Out of sheer shame for the dispicable spectacle of segregation, Rosa Parks deserves this honour.

And before anyone accuses me of being anti-American, they may wish to consult one of the millions of African-Americans who would probably agree with me; funny how being "anti-American" really means "point out the mistakes that rich white Americans made" and being condemned by middle class white folk who defend said plutocrats from a misguided sense of nationalism.

You're not being anti-American when you say that. It's somewhat true. Mrs. Parks also deserves this honor for what I mentioned above.

It's sad that in this day and age people still cannot openly express their political views, or opinions on issues in general, because of the fear of judgement.


"...it's JUDGEMENT that defeats us."

-Colonel Kurtz


Truer words have never been spoken.

While I agree that there are other people who may have earned this honor as well, I have no problem with Rosa Parks being shown at the Rotunda. Certain events in history always seem to stand out a little more than others, and I think Rosa's experience signified a real breakthrough that left an impression (obviously) on everyone's mind. Took a lot of guts at that time for her to speak her mind. Good for her.

And as nice a gesture as it is, I also am sure, for some in that arena, it's politically motivated as well. It shouldn't be, but it is.

TIS

"There is no civility, but only politics"

Well, J. Edgar Hoover was laid in state at the Rotunda. I mean, if HE...HE!...could have such a honor, I think many people could actually claim to it as well.

As for Mrs. Parks, I think she is worthy of it.

Psst...before you get on your moral high horse, let's remember who was over in Africa and India years before the U.S. was even founded, enslaving and raping those lands, and, oh, btw, selling their people as slaves, and denying them their rights.

Oh, that was the UK? Shit!

J. Edgar Hoover, despite his shortcomings and peccadilloes, served this country, ostensibly honorably (firm proof to the contrary being absent) for how long, 70 or so years?

While I still believe that he was in some way involved in the JFK assassination plot and/or coverup, I of course have no evidence to back that opinion up, so I'd say he deserved the honor.

Also, when talking about Hoover, it is important to remember that at the time of his death, he was an American "institution" (if you will), an icon of morality and justice. Only later did we find out about his dark side, his alleged homosexuality, and his corrupt nature running the FBI.

Plaw - if he wasn't involved in the assassination himself, it is likely he turned a deaf ear more than once...

She was a symbol of the whole movement, and in many ways its catalyst. There are many people who probably are worthy of lying in state in the rotunda who have been overlooked, but she deserves the honor regardless of whether it was politically motivated. Serves as a useful reminder to us all.

I love it, a Brit and Yank both fighting over which side's imperialism was less brutal in direct and indirect influence.

Our founding fathers had to break a few laws in order to get this country established and win the war against Great Britain. Mrs. Parks deserves this honor.

From what I've been researching, she is only the second non-governmental officer, and the second African-American to lie in the Rotunda. Does anybody have a list of all those who have had this honor in the capital?

Personally, though I think she was one of the most prominent figures because of her sit-down, I don't think she should've been in the capital. If it were up to me, I would think it should be reserved for heads of state and high ranking government officers, or military leaders. Again, though, I'd like to see who else has rested in the Rotunda to gauge the precedent of this action.