Rosa Parks to lie in state at the Capital
 

On Sunday (10-30) and Monday (10-31), for those in the DC area wishing to pay respects to a great lady. I'll be there!

Rosa Parks to Lie in State in the Rotunda

Donna

Not to deny the significance of what she did that day, is this an honor she deserves?

She is certainly more deserving than many that have been given the honor, but it is typically reserved for elected officials and military officers.

scaeagles, you asked the question I couldnt decide how to word... what is the deciding factor as to who lies in state?

Typically, yes, you are correct.

I can't say it better than this (quoted from the article):

"Rosa Parks is not just a national hero, she is the embodiment of our social and human conscience and the spark that lit the flame of liberty and equality for African Americans and minority groups in this country and around the globe," said Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn.

Personally, I think she deserves the honor and I am grateful and honored that I will have the opportunity to pay my respects to a woman whose courage I admire.

Donna

My two cents: She represents a turning point in US history. Many of her associates died at times when the nation was not ready to acknowledge their contributions. Also, much of this country is young enough to not remember what it was like in the relatively recent past.

It won't right past wrongs. And it won't necessarily to be to honor her individually. Rather, it's a way to (I think) respectfully acknowledge various bits of unpleasantness in our collective past and symbolically lay them to rest. Or, perhaps, to honor all those who did not receive the honors they deserved.

Prucence, I think the only requirement is that the Congress pass a motion allowing it. For certain people I think it is assumed and pro forma, but if Congressman X could get his colleagues sufficiently worked up about his mother's death I believe they could do the same.

My wife happens to be in DC this weekend so she might go out if the lines aren't too bad.

Regardless, it is a better honoring of her than closing a lane of a freeway in LA as happened the other day.

I think it's high time we rid ourselves of the anachronism that the only people outside of Congress to be so honored should be warrior heroes. Rosa Parks is a national hero of peace, and highly deserving of this honor.

To say that "it's always been done that way" is to deny progress itself, and I think this tiny step away from warrior-worship is the way I'd like progress to develop.


It's likely the only thing Congress has gotten right in 7 years.

I realize that. I was offering a rationale for why the honor should be considered deserved.

Sorry, I misdirected my response, I meant to direct it to Ponine who did ask how it was decided.

Personally, I have no problem with this tribute. Rosa Parks was an american hero, every bit as much as someone who fought in a war.