Houston’s main transportation authority has been slammed on social media for its “performative” tribute to Rosa Parks.
Texas’ Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County — better known as METRO — revealed last week that they were placing a yellow seat at the front of each of their public buses to mark what would have been Parks’ 109th birthday.
The statement was accompanied by a photograph of one of the seats, inscribed with the words “Dedicate to the Memory of Rosa Parks.”
METRO stated that the seats would be a permanent addition on their buses as a way to honor Parks’ “act of courage.”
Parks become a leading figure in the Civil Rights movement in 1955 after she refused to give up her seat to a white person while on board an Alabama bus. Parks — who passed away in 2005 — is now revered as an influential figure in American history.
But while METRO’s tribute may have been well-intentioned, it was quickly lambasted as “performative activism” on social media, with some saying the organization should instead be making actual donations to various causes.
Actress Markeia McCarty tweeted: “Alternative options of honoring Rosa Parks: % of February’s income to charities she supported; build a statue in front of main depot of Parks & Colvin; add additional or dedicate buses as an aid for voting/commute in lower served areas.”
Another bluntly stated: “Lol this is what they give us instead of healthcare or affordable housing. Virtue signaling.”
Parks is pictured in 1956. She was a prominent figure in the Civil Rights movement and is now revered as a key figure in American history. Getty Images“I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for the brainstorming session that came up with this one,” a third person mocked.
Lanier Holt, an associate professor at the Ohio State University, told Business Insider that he can understand why people are frustrated.
“People want something real. And if it’s not real, they’re going to call you on it,” he stated.
Parks is pictured in 1993. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 92. Ron Galella Collection via GettyHowever, he added that “you have to start somewhere” and hoped that the seats were “not just a symbol” but the “start” of more concrete action.
METRO responded to the controversy, saying they have no plans to remove the seats from their buses.
“We respect the fact that this gesture has sparked an important conversation on social media about social and economic opportunities for all,” they said.
