The Day I Met Rosa Parks
September 25, 2005
Rosa Parks 1913 - 2005
I had received an email to attend the Black Women's National Congress. They had
wanted to know if I would be interested in exhibiting my art at this year's brunch. M
finances had been rough and hesitated to reply. But as I prayed about it God gave
me a peace with it. I called and made arrangements to attend.
That Sunday was an unusual day. I had stayed up late for nights painting and
framing prints. There was an anti- war protest going on in D.C at the same time I
would have attended that but was committed to being at this event. I walked into
the hotel and set up my art upstairs. It took some time. The atmosphere was filled
with excitement and truth. Many Black women I consider elders of our time and
great leaders were there. My table was near the restroom so I was very blessed to
have constant traffic and see many women I consider heroines of our faith.In the
afternoon the crowd had slowed down. Many were listening to speeches and
networking. As I stood there an elderly woman approached me about my art.I
began to explain to her my quest to preserve Black history and make sure our
culture is educated about the past.
I talked for about 8 minutes explaining my art and soul. A camera man came up
and began taking pictures of me and this older lady. I had talked not aware of
whom I was talking to, but I knew something was different. She looked at me and
smiled and asked did I ship my art? I replied yes and that I made sure that it stays
reasonable in price so that my people could purchase the art and have positive
images in their home. She shook my hand and handed me her brochure. Her face
was glowing and skin was soft like baby skin. No wrinkles stuck out and no real signs
of age, but signs of strength and truth.As I looked down at the paper work with the
address, it was then that I realized I had been talking to Rosa Parks.
For a few moments I was stunned and the room seemed to stand still in time. There
was no one standing there but me and her and God looking down. She smiled and
walked away and I was still stunned that I had the awesome privilege to meet her
and share my
heart. She listened to every word and gave a quiet sigh of approval.I could not
speak or think for the next 10 minutes. God had given me the greatest blessing that
day. I paint history, but that day I met history that changed our lives as Black
people.
Weeks later I emailed her on Friday afternoon inquiring about preserving history
through any project that she had. She died that
weekend. A part of me had just begun to live because of the price she paid for my
freedom. The baton has been passed on to us to carry on what God had her begin
in the modern Civil Rights movement. It really began 2000+ years ago when the
greatest Civil Right was given to all mankind by Jesus Christ, to be free from sin and
walk with God through Him.
This website is committed to the work on the cross and the work of the cross that
we bear every day.I am thankful for meeting Rosa Parks. God gave me a priceless
gift that day, to look true courage in the eye and hold her legacy in my heart. It is
my journey now that I must pray through. She was 42 when she sat down, I am 43
and I am just being to stand...Thank you to all those who fought for my freedom and
the Rosa Parks who will be birthed in this era of trying times!
Posted By: Janie McGee
Saturday, September 20th 2008 at 9:16PM
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