“In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become a part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed. It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you can change that system. That is easier said than done.” – Ella Baker In the quote from Ella Baker shown above, she is basically saying that in order to see change you have to do more than just want it. Actions will grant you change, change only occurs through physical action. She very well knows that changing society will not be an easy task but it’s not impossible either.    Ella Josephine Baker: Lifetime  Ella Josephine Baker was one of the most inspiring leaders in history. She spent most of her time as an activist working behind the scenes to organize the Civil Rights Movement. She was born in 1903...

Rosa Parks 1913-2005 “If I can sit down for freedom, you can stand up for the children.” Rosa Parks was one of the most influential leaders to have ever lived, leaving a great impact on the world. Many Americans have looked up to her in admiration because of what she stood for and how courageous she was. Everyone knows the story of how Rosa Parks became well known to America, which was her refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama for a white man. Back in the 1950’s this was indeed illegal, therefore Parks was arrested. This arrest did not stop Parks, or other civil rights activists, fight against segregation. In fact, this served as ammunition to ignite the Bus Boycotts. I, for one, admired her and her ambition, as well as her willingness to stand up for what she believed in. Parks fight for equality did not start or stop after her incident on the bus. As it turns...

“If you’re not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take the long hard look and just believe that if you’re consistent, you will succeed.” John Lewis is a member of the U.S House of Representatives representing Georgia’s 5th district. He is the only living “big six” leader of the Black Civil Rights movement which consisted of Martin Luther King Jr., James Farmer, John Lewis, A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkins and Whitney Young. I admire John Lewis’ courage in the civil rights movement as he was leading the SNCC movement through the freedom rides, specifically when he encouraged the SNCC students that were dropped off in Klan territory to keep going and afterwards stating “we had a mandate, a moral obligation” (Lewis, 151). John Lewis had a great impact on the conception of the American Dream by making it achievable for all races in his...