Guest blogged by David Edwards
Thousands are attending Rosa Parks’ funeral in Detroit. CNN has had great coverage. MSNBC has also aired a good deal of highlights. Fox News… not so much.
Not surprisingly, Bill Clinton gave a touching speech. There were so many other moving speeches. We found special meaning in the words of Rep. John Conyers, who gave a job to Rosa Parks. He also reminds us about the problems that Americans, black and otherwise, still have in ensuring that their votes are actually counted and their voices are, therefore, heard…
Video in Windows Media format…
Video in QuickTime format…
Audio in MP3 format…
The full transcript of Conyers’ speech follows…
CNN CORRESPONDENT #2: Let’s listen in.
CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS: …Rosa Parks the honor that she received. We didn’t know if we could get airplanes. We went to the Speaker’s office and they put us in touch with the Pentagon, and after we got a plane, we realized we needed two, and here we have so many people out here and I just wanted all of my colleagues in the Congress to know that the power you feel, in this church today, is part of the power that that she left when she walked on this earth and lived in Detroit for year, after year, after year, working in my office. Can you imagine coming to work, and you have Rosa Parks sitting in your office? I went through some adjustment. I mean this was a celebrity staffer folks, if there ever was one. We got along so well, because she had that “Mother Teresa” like aura that brought peace and harmony. I’ve never heard her in an argument, in my life. I’ve never heard her raise her voice, in my life. I’ve never heard her speak in angry tones, or negatively about anybody. It wasn’t in her. And that’s why, somehow, the world, the country, and particularly, we the beneficiaries, have been so inspired and thrilled by the reception and the home-going that Rosa Parks has received in going to heaven.
Now, this struggle for justice, that we’ve been talking about in such restrictive terms, about her experience, now is much wider. We’re talking about a Civil Rights Movement that has morphed to a Human Rights Movement. We’re talking about the rights of women, of children, of human beings all over the world. So, we were disturbed when we saw how hurricane Katrina and Rita made us remember how deep poverty and race have brought hardships still, in America, even though we thought we had come so far. We know now that what we’re doing today in the Congress is having hearings on The Voter Rights Act of 1965. We’re still trying to figure out how to get people to do what it took her so long to do. Guess what? There are millions of people not voting, who ought to be voting. Some of them are being prevented or discouraged from voting, there are new ways now or you can change district lines and get all kinds of results. But there’s some people not voting because they’ve given up. There’s some people not voting because they don’t take this message that we have learned from Rosa, here today – that you keep on keeping on. And so, I just want you to remember that today there is a race in the world testing whether our Democratic destiny can triumph over our Imperial destiny. Whether we are really going to be the leaders of freedom and justice in the world, or we’re just going to take out whoever we want and do what we want anywhere in the world, cause we’re the most powerful. You know, that goes back to Rosa Parks too, doesn’t it? And so, I am so proud to have had her come our way, to come to Detroit, and I just can remember only this – when Nelson Mandela, after 27 years of imprisonment, came back to lead his country and he came to Detroit, and when he found out that Rosa Parks had come out to meet him, some of you were there, he started this chant, “Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks…” That was Nelson Mandela, who Rosa Parks had come out to pay tribute to. The first thing he did was pay tribute to Rosa Parks, when he came to Detroit. Mandela, Rosa Parks, and the person she gave the leadership mantle to, Martin Luther King. And so, my brothers and sisters, I just want you to know, we’ve got a tremendous legacy to fulfill, and here’s what it is… We’ve got to realize that you can’t maintain a Democracy and an Empire, simultaneously. Rosa, you taught me that and I’m happy and proud to stand here with all of you today. Thank you, God Bless You.
I visit Rep. Conyers’ site all the time. He is the only man with morals, among the sea of elected corporate whores. I was one of the 500,000+ people to sign Rep. Conyers’ petition (or letter) months ago, regarding the DSMs, to President Bush asking for answers. I felt proud to do that, I had never done anything like that before for anything. I watched the video link of them delivering the stacks of said petitions to the Whitehouse gate in bundles. Was moving for me to know that "mine" was in those stacks (although I’m probably now on the terrorist list and my phone’s surely tapped), even though I knew it would not yield a thing. We’re all just fed up and deserve some answers, that’s all. Will we ever get any? Probably not.
Rosa Parks was a woman of great courage and strength. I’m sure she will be missed by many, but her legacy will live on in all of us over 40, black or white. I hope she can pass some of that on to us all somehow, during the coming months. I think she already has for me, actually. I’ve decided I can’t give up. I have the past few days, but this video has revived me, thank you Brad – and surely thank you, Mr. Conyers.
Funny how all the lousy racist bastards that opposed segregation when it was the law, now fall all over each other to praise Rosa Parks.
Remember — The ‘activist’ Supreme Court had Rosa’s back !
The Court ended segregated seats on Montgomery’s city buses 12 months after Rosa Parks’ arrest.
The Court held, in Browder v. Gayle, that Montgomery’s municipal ordinance violated citizens’ civil rights. It was 4 other women’s names as plaintiffs in that particular case, but Rosa’s fingerprints and arrest card was entered as part of the evidence in the case. (Rosa’s own case was being tied up in state courts.)
===========
An activist US Supreme Court overturned a states-rights type of segregation ordinance of Montgomery, Alabama. Would Sam Alito have been a courageous activist judge on the citizens’ side of the Rosa Parks-city of Montgomery struggle?
We will start to get a clue as to Bush’s new appointees, like John Roberts, when the "Roberts court" first weighs Texas redistricting (which insulted the very premise of the Voting Rights Act !) this Friday at the Court’s weekly conference.
We may hear by Monday how much the Bush/Roberts Court cares about minority rights.
Good points there Joan. The democrats should use the legacy of Rosa Parks as an example of what the next supreme court justice should exemplify. Will he expand civil rights, or restrict them? Will he judge in favor of the rights of people, or the rights of corporations? I’m tired of it being a battle over abortion and nothing else.
Wise words Mr. Conyers.
Conyers for president!
IS THERE ANY WAY POSSIBLE AT ALL THAT I COULD PLEASE GET A TAPE(DVD) OF THE ENTIRE FUNERAL. I WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE BUT MY PARENTS WOULDNT LET ME LEAVE SCHOOL, IM IN COLLEGE IN GEORGIA!!!
How can I obtain a complete video/dvd of the entire program of Roas Parks funeral?
🙂 I am a student at redford high school and i watch the entire funeral. I also went out on 7 mile and watch the herse go pass and the buses it was so beautifal.I can say he did do a wonderful job speaking. And how he gave her a job coming from Montgomery,Alabama. And i also can say he will be rememberd and reconized by what he did for the Mother Of Civil Rights Movement. THANK YOU JHON CONYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to know, as others who have asked, how can you obtain a copy of the Rosa Parks funeral. please e-mail me back as soon as you can. Thank you!
Rosa Parks
Slipping through history
into cosmic mystery,
well done thou good and faithful servant.
The meek inherit the dignity of creation
and it takes the brave
to expose the sins of a nation.
Yin force so defiant
that demands man’s law
to align with God’s,
she takes bus’s transfer
to the train a’comin’
then to the sweet chariot lowly swingin’
that carries her to the glory
of love’s golden heaven
Great! Awesome…. a great speaker at the service. How can I get a copy of the whole service. Thank you
I would like a copy of Rosa Parks funeral in it’s entirety.
Thank You.
I would like to purchase a copy of Rosa Parks’ funeral in Detroit. Do you have for sale video tapes and or CDs of the entire funeral? Please contact me as soon as possible. My mother in law will never forgive me if I don’t get her a copy of the funeral.
Thanks,
Terron Sims
703 614-2514
Who was the speaker, that made the house explode? His speech mostly consisted of "thank you", but in every langauge. What site can I download that speech?
Thanks
I’ve been online for 2 hours today, looking for the speaker at Rosa Parks funeral who made the place explode with his speach. I know his speech, thanked her in every langauge. Does anyone know, the speakers name, and where I can download the clip at?
Thanks
Let me know how to get the complete funeral of Rosa Parks…I was honored to have her as a guest for lunch at my home in Maryland. Feel in love with a delightful women….
The speaker is Rev. Dr. Charles Gilchrist Adams of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Detroit, MI. Try http://www.detnews.com/specialreports & look under 2004 or 2005 Michiganians of the Year for more info. As for the clip, some one e-mailed it to me a couple weeks ago and I am forwarding a copy of it to you, I don’t know where else to get a copy. I went to MSNBC.com but the clips there were only short experts of some of the speakers, Rev. Adams included, but not his entire speech. TOODLES!!
Gracin, I didn’t realize your e-mail address was not listed. Contact me at ishi_lady@yahoo.com if you’d like me to e-mail a copy of Rev. Adams’ prayer to you.
Hi Penelope, could you please send me a copy also of the Rev. speech.
Thanks.
Hi Penelope, could you send a copy of the Rev. speech to me as well.
Thanks.
Do you have a copy of the funeral in it’s entirety? I am interested in purchasing a copy.
Thanks
I also would like to know where I can get a copy of Rosa Parks funeral in Detroit in it’s entirety.
Thanks
I as well am interested in a copy of Rosa Parks Funeral, I will be more tha happy to pay for any cost. I thank you for your help and many blessings.
Reverend Rhiannon
where can I purchase the video of Rosa Park’s Funeral? What’s the cost?
I was wondering could I get a clip of Rev. Adams’ prayer?
Could you let me know how I can get a clip of Rev. Adams prayer at Rosa Park’s funeral.
Hi Penelope,
I am still trying to purchase a copy of the Rosa Parks funeral> Do you still have a copy of the Speech by Rev. Adams. My mom is not doing so great and she ask if I can find this for her.
I would like a copy of the Rev Adams speech at Rosa Parks funeral as well.
Thanks
I would like the video clip of the Rev Adams at Rosa Parks funeral as well.
Thanks
http://www.montgomeryboycott.co...arlesadams.htm
The Prayer Can Be found There.