My point is: neither of these women could foresee the impact of the actions that they took at the time. When Rosa Parks disobeyed the order of a Montgomery bus driver to vacate her bus seat so that a white woman could sit down, she could not foresee that her actions would spark the Montgomery Bus Boycott and become a seminal event in the history of civil rights.
Likewise, when Sandra Fluke testified before a Congressional committee about contraception and the role it plays in women’s health care, she did not foresee the firestorm it would ignite. Like thousands of people before her, Ms. Fluke was simply testifying in behalf of a subject she was passionately interested in. She, like Rosa Parks, had no idea of the firestorm that would erupt.
Sandra Fluke had no idea that for three days, Rush Limbaugh would excoriate and slander her on his radio program. Rush’s blatant disregard for facts and repulsive language would ignite a firestorm of indignation among women and men who believe that every citizen has the right to address their government on issues that concern them.
Rosa Parks’ action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and has taken its place in civil rights history.
Sandra Fluke has ignited a debate about talk radio and has shaken the foundations of Rush Limbaugh’s empire. He apologized to Ms. Fluke but the damage has been done. Not only Mr. Limbaugh but other right-wing talk show hosts are feeling a hot blast of anger and condemnation from outraged women, and, dare I say, the men who love and support them.
Rosa Parks did not have the benefit of the Internet and the social networks it has spawned. Rosa Parks’ battle would last a lifetime. But today’s women have banded together and used Facebook and Twitter to get their message out: We won’t stand for what Rush has done to Sandra Fluke. We’ll voice our opinions, contact our legislators, and vote with our pocketbooks. The first cracks in Rush Limbaugh’s Death Star have begun to appear as advertisers flee a controversial radio pundit and his hateful remarks.
Rosa Park’s march began on December 1st, 1955 and is not yet done.
Sandra Flukes’ march has just begun.