Who is the author of 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks'?

The author of 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' is Jeanne Theoharis.

What are the main themes in 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks'?

The main themes in 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' include Social Justice Movements, Biography, Political Biographies, Politics and Current Affairs.

What genre is 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks'?

'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' is categorized as Biography, Politics and Current Affairs.

Who is the author of 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks'?

The author of 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' is Jeanne Theoharis.

What is the main focus of the book 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks'?

The main focus of 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' by Jeanne Theoharis is to provide a comprehensive and nuanced portrait of Rosa Parks, portraying her not just as a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement through her famous act of defiance on a Montgomery bus, but as a lifelong activist who fought for social justice, economic rights, and political equality. The book emphasizes her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, her involvement in various struggles throughout her life, and challenges the myth of her as a passive figure, highlighting her activism and the broader context of her work in the fight against racism and inequality.

How does the book describe Rosa Parks' role in the Civil Rights Movement?

In "The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks," Jeanne Theoharis depicts Rosa Parks not just as a passive individual who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott by refusing to give up her seat. Instead, the book presents her as a lifelong activist whose role in the Civil Rights Movement was far more extensive and complex. Theoharis highlights Parks' work with local civil rights organizations, her involvement in voter registration, and her commitment to social justice through her participation in various campaigns and activism throughout her life. The book emphasizes her courage, her strategic thinking, and the challenges she faced both in her personal life and as a public figure, breaking the myth that she was simply an icon of a singular moment in history.

What themes are explored in 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks'?

'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' explores several key themes: Civil Rights Activism: The book delves into Rosa Parks' lifelong commitment to social justice and civil rights, highlighting her role beyond the iconic Montgomery Bus Boycott. Resistance and Rebellion: Parks is portrayed as a figure of resistance, demonstrating how her acts of defiance and activism were part of a broader struggle against systemic racism and oppression. Intersectionality: The narrative also touches upon the intersections of race, gender, and class, examining how these factors impacted Parks' life and activism. Legacy and Memory: The book examines how Parks' contributions have been remembered or overlooked in history, challenging the simplified narratives that often overshadow her complexity and the breadth of her work. Community and Collaboration: It highlights the importance of community organizing and collaboration within the civil rights movement, showcasing how Parks worked alongside many others to affect change.

Why is Rosa Parks referred to as 'rebellious' in the title of the book?

Rosa Parks is referred to as 'rebellious' in the title of the book because she actively resisted and challenged the systemic racism and segregation in American society. Rather than being a passive figure in history, Parks was an outspoken advocate for civil rights and justice. Her refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, was not just a solitary act of defiance but part of her lifelong commitment to fighting racial oppression, making her a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement. The term 'rebellious' highlights her courage to stand against unjust laws and her role in inspiring others to do the same.

The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks Book Summary

'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks' by Jeanne Theoharis unveils the complexities of a woman often mischaracterized as simply a tired seamstress. Delving deep into Rosa Parks' life, it showcases her as a fierce activist who played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement, challenging systemic injustice at every turn. The book reveals her commitment to social equity and the radical roots of her activism, often overshadowed by her iconic bus boycott image. Readers will discover the depth of her battles beyond that fateful day in Montgomery, including her ongoing struggle for human rights. This compelling biography invites readers to reconsider the true legacy of Rosa Parks—far more revolutionary than meets the eye.

By Jeanne Theoharis

Published: 2015

""Each of us is a vital part of the fight for justice; change is sparked not by silence but by the brave proclamations of our truths.""

"Jeanne’s book not only inspired the documentary but has been a catalyst in changing our national understanding of Rosa Parks. Highly recommend!”—Soledad O’Brien, executive producer of the Peabody Award–winning documentary The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks 2014 NAACP Image Award Winner: Outstanding Literary Work–Biography/Autobiography 2013 Letitia Woods Brown Award from the Association of Black Women Historians Choice Top 25 Academic Titles for 2013 The definitive political biography of Rosa Parks examines her six decades of activism, challenging perceptions of her as an accidental actor in the civil rights movement. This revised edition includes a new introduction by the author, who reflects on materials in the Rosa Parks estate, purchased by Howard Buffett in 2014 and opened to the public at the Library of Congress in February 2015. Theoharis contextualizes this rich material—made available to the public for the very first time and including more than seven thousand documents—and deepens our understanding of Parks’s personal, financial, and political struggles. Presenting a powerful corrective to the popular iconography of Rosa Parks as the quiet seamstress who with a single act birthed the modern civil rights movement, scholar Jeanne Theoharis excavates Parks’s political philosophy and six decades of activism. Theoharis masterfully details the political depth of a national heroine who dedicated her life to fighting American inequality and, in the process, resurrects a civil rights movement radical who has been hidden in plain sight far too long.

Jeanne Theoharis is a distinguished scholar and author known for her insightful exploration of civil rights history and contemporary social justice issues. She is the author of notable works including 'The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks,' which offers a comprehensive biography of the civil rights icon, and 'A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History.' Her writing is characterized by a rigorous historical analysis combined with a compelling narrative style that makes her work accessible and engaging to a broad audience. Theoharis is a professor at Brooklyn College and has contributed significantly to discussions on race, resistance, and the complexities of American history.

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