I have been refused entrance
â
I have been refused entrance on the buses because
I would not pay my fare at the front
and go around to the rear door to enter.
That was the custom if the bus was crowded up to the point
where the white passengers would start occupying.
â
Meaning
This quote describes the humiliating customs of segregated buses, where Black riders paid but were still denied equal treatment and entry.
About Author
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was an American civil rights activist celebrated for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her quotes often reflect courage, justice, and dignity. Parks inspires activists, students, and citizens to stand against injustice, embrace civic responsibility, and advocate for equality and human rights.
Related Quotes
â I was born 50 years after slavery, in 1913. I was allowed to read. My mother, who was a teacher, taught me when I was a very young child. The first school I attended was a small building that went from first to sixth grade. There was one teacher for all of the students. There could be anywhere from 50 to 60 students of all different ages. â
This quote reflects on being born after slavery but still within segregation, and on how education from her mother shaped her early life.
â 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. â
This quote means her institute stands for equality, inclusion, and personal growth, and that she believed leadership begins with personal example.
â My only concern was to get home after a hard day's work. â
This quote emphasizes the plain humanity of her situation. After a long workday, she only wanted to get home.