Essay on Leadership

Imagine a time when a hard working, black man can peruse a piece of literature while seated at the same table as a white female in a public library.   Envision an era where a black mother can effortlessly enter a grocery store or bathroom with her young children, and not have an overwhelming fear of anticipated rejection.   Better yet, dream of a generation of drastic and progressive change where the majority of America elects an African American president into office.   Questions of optimism such as these were no doubt pondered and posed among the many small support groups and families of African Americans all across the country in the late 1950’s, and early 1960’s.   Far too many black communities during this era of intolerance and hatred were faced with identical fears and battles to overcome. There was an overall feeling of being segregated by the white man’s control, while equally longing for a day when the judgments based on skin color would go away.  
Indeed there were moments during the mid 1950’s, when African American men and women were pondering options for necessary change.   There had to be moments of hope mixed with moments of frustration and despair.   There had to be moments where prayers were made for peace and harmony among all races.   There had to be moments of hope that someone, somewhere would rise up and take a stand against the racism and hatred, and fight for freedom.   On December 1, 1955, an unfamiliar brave seamstress from Montgomery, Alabama, answered the call.   On a day that is considered by most historians to be the foundation and the beginning of the civil rights movement, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.   Mrs. Parks was later arrested and fined for disobeying a city regulation and bus ordinance, but her single act of bravery began a movement that ended legal segregation across America (American Academy of Achievement). If not for Mrs. Parks’ stand for freedom, blacks may have been left wondering if...