Rosa Parks

This was dedicated and unveiled last September during ArtPrize and stands in front of Rosa Parks Circle, shown here. Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her bus seat to a white person back in 1955, which makes me ask what she is doing here. Giving up her seat?

The sculptor, Ed Dwight, has an interesting story of his own. Back in 1962, when he was an air force jet pilot, President Kennedy nominated him as an astronaut trainee, making Dwight the first black man ever appointed. When Kennedy was assassinated (today, in 1963), Dwight was forced out of the program and eventually became a sculptor.

His thoughts on this work were to show Parks emerging from her seat to become the quiet leader that she was. I supposed one could say also she was standing up for freedom.

For those who want to know more, see the links below.

Rosa Parks
Ed Dwight
Kennedy Assassination