I was sitting here reading yet another article on Rosa Parks that I had received from my “Google Alert” for Monteagle. Every article, in every part of the United States, mentioned Rosa Parks’s participation in the Monteagle-based Highlander Folk School’s training programs for non-violent protest as a precursor to her historic bus incident.

Rosa, it seems, just got “tired.” Not from standing or sitting in the back of the bus, but from the pandemic treatment she and others around her received from certain people - people no better and sometimes much worse than she but who were legally superior to her because of the color of her skin.

This particular article caught me thinking about my own situation and my own trials and tribulations with people legally superior to me - not because of race, but because of elected and appointed position. Then the supreme irony struck me hard, like a slap across the face. Fifty years ago, almost to the date, Rosa Parks took a stand - a very controversial and dangerous stand…against an unjust system that STILL EXISTS in the very town she received her strength from.

Of course, we all know (or do we?) the history of what happened next. Rosa Parks went on with the other Highlander-trained protesters to ignite the Civil Rights movement, but the Highlander Folk School was left to deal with the aftermath of its notoriety.

Highlander Folk School burned not long after the attention it received for providing Rosa and others that strength of purpose. Fire seems to be the answer to most people’s “problems” in these parts. Intimidation and thuggery complete the brutal triangle.

Thankfully today, we as a public, no longer have the unjust laws that sent Rosa Parks to the back of the bus. Her courage and the courage of others made sure of that reality.

Unfortunately, however, discrimination is still very much alive and well in the rural South. It just has taken on a different form with similar results. Ignorance and fear of change continues to fuel most of the unjust actions, Greed and power color the mix to make the combination a highly combustible, putrid shade of green…damaging and toxic to anyone in its path.

I personally don’t have any concrete reasons why I, and others like me, are being discriminated against by this unjust system in rural bucolic Monteagle, Tn., (or across the rural South for that matter). I am a white, middle-aged female who owns a business here. I donate my time to charity and my community. I am a good friend to the people I care about and love and respect my family without reservation. I will help anyone who will help them self.

I believe through determination and a moral compass, anyone can achieve what they set out to do as long as what they set out to do doesn’t harm someone else unjustly. Am I so different than any one of us living here?

I have been very mad for some time now over the overwhelming injustice (both passive and aggressive) that permeates our local governments, but now I am just “tired.” I wish Highlander were here today. I think I will give the one near Knoxville a call. Maybe they know a good civil rights attorney. But first, let me make doubly sure I have good insurance.

I. Michelle Russell
Monteagle, Tn.
mrussell@thefirm-inc.com