The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 36

jjg Monday, November 29, 1999 The Pantagraph couchpotato, try to find something that Interests you.tfyouf merean plenty oft reiatea t7isM (like you jet ends i nrf iiol "tf Is LJ 1 ir- r-n The Ask Us team can help you make a difference in your life or oth- ers'. Get their great advice at freezone.comadvice. The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibit racial discrimination in voting. "My only concern was to get home after a hard day's work." Rosa Parks Sometimes it takes only one brave person to start a revolution -it: 1 "3 i i 1 there was a possibility of being mistreated, but an opportunity was being given to me to do what I had asked of others." by Paul Hartwkk orty-four years ago this week, on Dec.

1, 1955, a soft-spo 01 3 A a a African-American people were treated very differently in those days. There ken, 43-year-old seamstress named Rosa Parks were separate drinking fountains for blacks and was taking a crowded bus home from work in whites. African-Americans were allowed only X. Jilt to sit in the balconies at movie theaters. Montgomery, Alabama.

She was sitting where black people Schools were segregated by race. "I were allowed to sit in those days know we have made some 31 IB at the back of the bus. She was progress over the years," tired after a long day at Parks told reporters at a work. When a white Dl recent press confer ence. "But I know man got on board and couldn't find we also have to continue.

We a seat, the bus driver told Parks and a few other can't be too satisfied, because we'll hi Ji To be complacent." Today, Parks is 86 years old a S. and lives in Detroit. She spends most of the winter in Los Angeles. riders to stand up and give up their seats. Parks said no.

She wasn't only physically tired; she also was tired of seeing black people treated so poorly. She didn't think it 5" She's still active in the fight against injustices. Kids are by Rebecca age 13, Ontario, Canada TV Racism is so big that there is practically whole culture of hatred based on racism. Whatever possesses people to dislike someone just because of hisher religion, race, language, is beyond me. Of course we see this in our day-to-day life, but maybe we choose to ignore the little comments that we hear in school, on the bus or even on the street.

Sometimes the urge to make a nasty comment comes when people are hanging around with a really "cool" crowd or when they are trying to impress someone. I Please don't contribute to the racial tension in the world. What does being mean to a fellow person do to your soul? That boygirl that you put down and made cry could be a doctor that will save your life in 10 to 20 years, or a plastic surgeon who will give you a nose job. Remember z. that we are all equal and should always try to achieve my goal of universal peace.

Get your name in print! Sign up to be an FZ Reporter at freezone.com. sr a It (A the main focus of Parks' efforts. As a tribute to her husband, who died in I was right that she had 2S5 i to stand so a white person could sit. And in that single moment, Parks made a world of difference. Many people consider I Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Hero 1977, Parks helped found the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development, ft) ID in 9 O.

Illustration: Tom Deja which offers programs designed to emphasize keeping a positive attitude, being a good citizen and treating people fairly. The organization helps promote diversity and helps children learn leadership and career skills. "There is still racism among other peo Parks' refusal to give up her seat the beginning of the modern American civil rights movement. She was arrested and fined because failing to give up her seat violated a city ordinance. Her case inspired a minister named Martin Luther King Jr.

to form the Montgomery Improvement Association, which called for a boycott of the city-owned bus company. ple who haven't quite made up their minds that we're all human Local action: beings and we should be treated equally," Parks said. Parks showed one person truly can make a difference but she's Look through the local section! The 381-day boycott brought lots of national attention to Parks, King and, more important, civil rights for African-Americans. Nearly a year later, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Montgomery ordinance and outlawed racial segregation on public transportation.

"Our mistreatment was just not right, and I was tired of it," Parks wrote in her book, "Quiet Strength." "I kept thinking modest about being called the "mother of the civil rights movement." "Four decades later I am still uncomfortable with the credit given to me for starting the bus boycott," she wrote in of the newspaper. Are there any people or groups listed who are actively working for human rights? If not, think a a a in a 9 9 a her book. "I would like (people) to know I was not the only per I about starting your son involved. I was just one of many who fought for freedom." about my mother and my grandparents, and how strong they were. I knew Teachers! Get guides for using FreeZone pages in your classroom at http:freezone.combrainguides.

"Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable." Anonymous Will wmmm 3 8 9 a nK fwcli ana he's an artist. f'uiwKi minor -inn is beautiful. I i i 1 Cnpn eg am. my sister because she has a happy afi 13, New York Mv favorite hero is my older diowili ST 1 1 pond when I was only three old i couidn.

when. my brother dovein and g.jj North Carolina llw.lffi.l.,T,nirtrWr.liiij itil.M...yL if i I -m own hero. Many people look I believe un lcbr t.es or sports starsjormotwanon ana las I hen half the rime they are mkmgioRble ideas, yvneii models and; () I Who is your hero? i fi rzi decisions. 1 ttunK we ecu lon ines'. 1 n.imhu.

Ohio Kelly, age My hep is my football coach, who taught me that I can't succeed in life just by playing football. I've got to concentrate more on life itself. fj -Christopher, age 14, Biloxi, Mississippi I For more KIDecision questions and answers, checkusoutatfreezone.com. js9)0jd Illustration: Tom Deja AM) llWJiiyJ Through our Newspaper in Education (NIE) Program you can receive Monday's Pantagraph for each of your students. A teacher's guide is also available.

To enroll, just visit www.pantagraph.comeducation.html or call Ellen at 829-941 1 ext 353 or 1-800-747-7323. The Pantagraph1 in Education I WW Yoa ceo use reszone in pur classroom..