They keep calling me “quiet” like I didn’t just change the whole mood of a bus. by Rosa Parks

She said no once and the whole country suddenly needed a committee.

Exactly. Y’all act like I was taking a break instead of taking a stand.

I called a hundred people and one woman made history before lunch.

I’m just glad the movement got one person who could do the assignment without extra drama.

Because a calm no is louder than ten speeches from loud men.

That’s the part they hate most: she didn’t perform, she refused.

Quiet is fine; decisive is what made everybody else start talking.

A lot of people are loud because they think dignity is the same thing as permission.