Best Rosa Parks Quotes About Social Justice and Equality

“As far back as I can remember, I knew there was something wrong with our way of life when people could be mistreated because of the color of their skin.”

“At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this. It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in.”

“All I was doing was trying to get home from work.”

“Each person must live their life as a model for others.”

“God has always given me the strength to say what is right.”

“Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.”

“I had felt for a long time that, if I was ever told to get up so a white person could sit, that I would refuse to do so.”

“I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”

“I talked and talked of everything I know about the white man's inhuman treatment of the Negro.”

“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free... so other people would be also free.”

“I'm tired of being treated like a second-class citizen.”

“It was not pre-arranged. It just happened that the driver made a demand and I just didn't feel like obeying his demand. I was quite tired after spending a full day working.”

“Let us look at Jim Crow for the criminal he is and what he has done to one life multiplied millions of times over these United States and the world. He walks us on a tightrope from birth.”

“Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.”

“My only concern was to get home after a hard day's work.”

“People always say that I didn't give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn't true. I was not tired physically... No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”

“Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.”

“The Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute accepts people of any race. We don't discriminate against anyone. We teach people to reach their highest potential. I set examples by the way I lead my life.”

“There is just so much hurt, disappointment, and oppression one can take... The line between reason and madness grows thinner.”

“Time begins the healing process of wounds cut deeply by oppression. We soothe ourselves with the salve of attempted indifference, accepting the false pattern set up by the horrible restriction of Jim Crow laws.”

“Whatever my individual desires were to be free, I was not alone. There were many others who felt the same way.”

“Whites would accuse you of causing trouble when all you were doing was acting like a normal human being instead of cringing.”