As it is Dr. Kings birthday, I like to celebrate by listening to music and watching films about the Civil Rights movement.

It just takes one person who refuses to get out of the way on injustice to inspire others to do the same.

Rosa Parks refused to get out of her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Segregation in the south forced African Americans to drink from different drinking fountains, use different bathrooms, eat in different restaurants, go to different schools and sit at the back of the bus.

One day, that all changed.  Rosa Parks was a seamstress in a department store.  She had worked hard all day.  When told to move, she refused.  She was tired (physically and mentally).  She was tired of living by stupid laws that said she was less than anyone else.  She was arrested for refusing to give up her seat.

Soon after, African Americans all over Monthomery, Alabama banded together to refuse to ride the bus.  It was called the Montgomery Bus Boycott. African Americans chose to walk hundreds of miles instead of give up their self respect.

The movie, The Long Walk Home demonstrates how the boycott affected two women: one black and one white.  If you ever get a chance, I’d watch it! Here’s the trailer –