On December 1, 1955, a Montgomery, Alabama, black seamstress riding the bus home as she normally did after a hard day’s work decided to “sit down” on what she believed in her heart was the right thing to do, despite the hardships it might bring.  Rosa Parks, a 42 year old soft spoken black woman, believed that all men were created equal, and should be treated with the same dignity and human rights.  Despite the error in history, where it was initially recorded that she didn’t know why she refused the command of the bus driver to give up her seat, it was because her feet were hurting.  Trust me when I say, there’s no greater hurt a man can experience, when you have to endure day to day legalized social injustice because of the color of your skin, or your religious background.  Discrimination doesn’t make ones feet hurt, but human hearts grieve.


Mrs. Parks, this nation’s First Lady of Modern Day Civil Rights, “sat down” so that many others could stand up in a peaceful non-violent way to move the hurt they were experiencing in their hearts down to their feet as they walked, rode bicycles, or shared rides together.  Her courageous act inspired black bus riders, which was the majority of the company’s customers, to enter into a lengthy 381 day boycott.  Because she “sat down,” the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was able to stand on the steps of our nation’s capitol like the biblical prophet Joseph, and proclaim his dream to the world,  “I Have A Dream.”   Because she sat down, a memorial statue of late Reverand C. K. Steele stands at the Tallahassee bus depot.  Because she sat down, I am able to be a black husband, father, pastor, and community leader providing social services in Leon, Gadsden, and now Wakulla Counties.  I’ve been empowered to stand up against many complex issues that continue to hinder positive growth in the communities in which we live, and our children play,  such as underage drinking, illegal use of prescription drugs, illegal drug activities, lack of proper healthcare, and hunger.

There is an old traditional gospel song that I love to hear Elder Dan Gay, Jr., pastor of Friendship Primitive Baptist Church, sing, entitled, “Sitting Down in the Kingdom.”  Mrs. Rosa Parks, thy good and faithful servant, sit down and take your well deserved rest.  We love you as a nation, but God loves you best.


In honor of the accomplishments of Mrs. Rosa Parks, H.E.L.P. A.D.: Gadsden County Substance Abuse Coalition is currently working with Mayor John Marks and the City of Tallahassee to organize Mrs. Rosa Parks Day.  We will have some type of community activity held on December 1, 2005 at the C. K. Steele Bus Depot during the lunch period.  Please feel free to call me @ (850) 544-0675, or email me @ stnorapastorsims@earthlink.net if you are interested in helping or being involved in any way.

Pastor Stanley B. Sims, Sr.
     

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