December 1, 2005
Friends,
I just thought we should all pause for a moment today to remember the simple act of courage, defiance and dignity committed by Rosa Parks when she refused to move to the back of the bus because the law said she had the wrong skin color. The greatest moments in history, the ones that have truly mattered and have taken us to a better place, are made up of scores of these singular acts by ordinary, everyday people who could no longer tolerate the crap and the nonsense of those in charge.
Today, whether it is a student who holds a sit-in to get the army recruiters off his campus, or the mother of a dead soldier who refuses to leave the front gate of the president's ranch, we continue to be saved by brave people who risk ridicule and rejection but end up turning huge tides of public opinion in the direction of righteousness. We owe them enormous debts of gratitude. It is not easy to stand up for what is right, especially when everyone else is afraid to leave the comfortable path of conformity.
Rosa Parks may have been alone on that bus at the moment of her arrest but she wasn't alone for long. The old order was shaken, the world was upended and, as a people, we were given a chance for a bit of redemption.
Perhaps the best way to celebrate this most important day in American history is to ask yourself what it is that you can do today to make a difference. What risk can you take to move the ball forward? What is that one thing you've been wanting to say to your co-workers or classmates that you've been afraid to say -- but in your heart of hearts you know needs to be said? Why wait another day to say it or do it?
There is probably no better way to honor Rosa Parks -- and yourself -- than for you to put a stop to an injustice you see, not allowing it to continue for one more second. Do something. Then send me an email (contributions@michaelmoore.com) and tell all of us what you did (I'll post as many as I can).
Fifty years later, the bus we're on could use a few more people simply saying, "No. I'm sorry. I've had enough. I'm not going to take it anymore."
Yours,
Michael Moore
www.michaelmoore.com
I was called to action:
Dear Mr. Moore,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your Rosa Parks letter you sent to everyone today. I know it isn't often you write to all of us, this was a letter that was needed.
One person can make a difference. One persons courage can bring out what is inside all of us. When the one person sparks the sleeping people to wake up we all are rewarded with a better society, a better life for us all.
Today you sparked me into making a t-shirt to wear while I go through my day. It is something I try to do as often. I make shirts for people to read that makes them want to come talk to me. Today my shirt says "One person can make a difference Remember her always Rosa Parks 50 years ago she refused to move". I have already been several places. Most everyone who has seen me has read my shirt and a few have talked to me about it. I hope it sparks something in them to speak to another person.
This is a lesson for all of us. Speak out what you believe and you would be surprised how many believe the same as you. Don't be aggressive with your actions. Let people approach you. You must be visual and not be afraid to be who you are. A lesson we learn from our Peaceful Warriors like Rosa Parks and now Cindy Sheehan. There is hope in knowing when bad things have happened in our country like making people sit at the back of the bus because of their skin, we become stronger as a nation. What is heart breaking to me, before we become a stronger nation, always in our history many have to suffer before we are moved to action.
We all are human, we all live here together. Let your love shine and we'll be here forever.....
Peace be inside all of us,
Cindy
Hollywood, FL
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