"It was the beginning of what turned out to be a major change in this country and perhaps in the world. It was significant and prompted Dr. King into taking action. Racism is nowhere near like it was when I was growing up. People say (racism) is more than ever. I don't know what they are talking about."
JAMES ALLEN JR., 67, retired, Jackson, Miss.
"Seemingly she was such a great figure but I didn't even know she lived in Detroit, so details aren't really there. While she was living, she should have been more celebrated."
MICHAEL SHARBATZ, 24, musician, Berkley
"I would go and sit on the bus (at the Henry Ford museum) and wonder what it must have been like then. To sit where she sat, it was like a taking a step back in time."
KIMBERLY BRANTLEY, 41, sales clerk, Detroit
"I just think that everyone can get along more because she didn't give up her seat. ... We're all equal, and it doesn't matter what the color of your skin is."
COURTNEY CARDEW, 15, Swartz Creek High School sophomore
"We wanted segregation to end. We didn't like it and we didn't know what to do. Luckily for us, Rosa Parks decided to keep her seat that day."
JESSE DANIELS, 70, Alabama native who participated in the Montgomery bus boycott, Detroit
"She was really one of the role models for everyone. ... Her message was that it doesn't matter what color you are. Everyone should be treated equally."
SHAY CHANG, 26, restaurant manager, Warren
