Amira Seyoum
Staff Writer

“She’s only been buried for one week and already many have forgotten her.”

That anonymous quote was on the flyers that covered the school for the Rosa Parks Memorial Celebration.

The local tribute to Parks was held in Sneaky Park on Nov. 9, the one-week anniversary of her burial.

The African American Student Alliance sponsored the event that Sister’s Circle vice president Monique Chambers organized.

“I think that it is a great thing that Monique stepped up to the plate and did this,” said Glennda Bivens, a senior and AASA president. The executive board of AASA agreed to do this because it is something that needed to be done and it’s a really good cause.”

Students walking through the park on their way home and many students who do not even live on campus stopped and paid their respects, and some joined in the celebration.

“I really thought it was something that needed to be celebrated, not just for the African Americans but for everyone else to celebrate Rosa Parks and all that she has helped do for our society,” said Chambers, a sophomore.

The night began with Chambers, who opened the celebration, and senior Wilford Claiborne followed her with a mesmerizing speech. All the speeches pointed out what this one woman was capable of doing.

He continued to explain what it meant to him and how people fail to realize they may not be here if it was not for Parks.

“A lot of people don’t think about stuff like that,” Claiborne said. “We should continue what she has started; she was brave enough to start it we, as a community, should finish it or at least continue it.”

More speakers continued on, and it eventually ended up being more of an open forum allowing people to go up and say what they felt.

“It was a great thing and so many people were touched by this experience, people got so choked up,” Bivens said. “Her life should be celebrated and her actions not forgotten.”

The night ended with a song and candle lighting in remembrance.

“The song and the entire night was beautiful,” Bivens said.

Amira Seyoum can be reached at aseyoum@ulv.edu.