In 1955, Rosa Parks became widely known for her refusal to move from her seat on the bus, challenging segregation. At the time, buses in Montgomery, Alabama were segregated by race. White passengers sat in the front while Black passengers were required to sit in the back. One day, the bus driver ordered Parks to give up her seat for a white passenger. She refused, believing the demand violated her constitutional rights.

Because she would not move, the driver called the police and she was arrested. Her actions helped spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which became an important moment in the civil rights movement. But many people did not realize that Parks continued to face hardships later in life as well.

 In 1994, when she was 81 years old, someone broke into her home and robbed her. After the incident, members of her church helped her find a safer apartment in Detroit. Rosa Parks was supported by Montgomery’s Black churches. They became the foundation of the boycott, providing space for meetings and fundraising. While she faced job loss and threats, churches continued to support her by sustaining the movement, hosting mass meetings, and organizing carpools (Theoharis). When Mike Ilitch, the owner of Little Caesars, learned about her situation, he quietly stepped in to help. He paid for her apartment for more than ten years until her death in 2005. This story only became widely known after Litch’s death in 2017. Federal judge Damon Keith revealed that Litch had been paying Rosa Parks rent privately for years. “I want to, at this point, let them know how much the litches not only meant to the city, but they meant so much for Rosa Parks, who was the mother of the civil rights movement,” Keith said in an interview with CNN. Keith even showed reporters a copy of a 1994 check for $2,000 from Little Caesars Enterprises to the Riverfront apartments where Parks lived (Levenson). Stories like this show how businesses can make a positive impact by helping others, as well as the Black church helped Rosa Parks by being a community. 

Rosa Parks story not only showed us what standing up for justice looked like, but her story also shows how strong her community was. In times like these, where everyone is dealing with a lot, maybe feeling like you don’t have that capacity to help others, which is completely understandable. That’s actually when community matters the most. It’s possible capitalism has pushed us to become more individualistic, making us less connected and less community oriented than we once were. But we all still have that feeling of wanting community, and yes it’s easier said then done, but maybe just start. Whether that’s just joining in conversations, helping out neighbors, volunteering or joining school clubs. The truth is people need people, humans are wired to be social creatures, we’re meant to bond with others and create connections. At first getting involved might feel like you are adding another responsibility. But as time passes, you will be glad you did it. You will feel more connected and more fulfilled. Humans need connection and community is great.

Theoharis, Jeanne. “The Boycott.” The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks, Center for the Humanities, CUNY Graduate Center,https://rosaparksbiography.org/bio/the-boycott/ 
Levenson, Eric. “Little Caesars Founder Quietly Paid Rosa Parks’ Rent for Years.” CNN, 15 Feb. 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/15/us/mike-ilitch-rosa-parks-trnd.