At The Time I Was Arrested I

People Have Said Over The Years That The Reason I Did Not Give Up My Seat Was Because I Was Tired. I Did Not Think Of Being Physically Tired. My Feet Were Not Hurting. I Was Tired In A Different Way. I Was Tired Of Seeing So Many Men Treated As Boys And Not Called By Their Proper Names Or Titles. I Was Tired Of Seeing Children And Women Mistreated And Disrespected Because Of The Color Of Their Skin. I Was Tired Of Jim Crow Laws, Of Legally Enforced Racial Segregation.

I Knew Someone Had To Take The First Step. So I Made Up My Mind Not To Move.

All I Was Trying To Do Was Get Home From Work.

I Want To Be Treated Like A Human Being.

When That White Driver Stepped Back Toward Us, When He Waved His Hand And Ordered Us Up And Out Of Our Seats, I Felt A Determination Cover My Body Like A Quilt On A Winter Night.