Letter handwritten by Rosa Parks about Martin Luther King Jr goes on sale for $54,000
Letter is dated 6 October 1981
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A letter handwritten by Rosa Parks in which she describes Martin Luther King Jr as a “truly great man” has gone on sale for $54,000.
In the letter, dated 6 October 1981, Ms Parks responds to an autograph collector who asked her opinion on the late civil rights icon.
“It is difficult to put in words, on paper any comments about the late Dr Martin Luther King Jr,” Ms Parks began the letter, written 13 years after Dr King was assassinated on 4 April, 1968. “So much has been spoken and written about him by so many other people.
“I admired and respected him as a truly great man committed and dedicated to freedom, peace and equality for all oppressed humanity.
“He was a leader of the masses in Montgomery, Alabama, and the nation.”
Ms Parks also remembered the activist as a “devoted husband and father” to his wife and children and as a “loving and loyal son” to his parents.
“His sister, brother and other family and relatives loved him dearly as all of us who were fortunate to know him,” the civil rights icon, best known for her role in standing up against segregation on a Montgomery bus, concluded.
Ms Parks’ refusal to give up her seat and her subsequent arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, largely organised by Dr King, one of the most recognisable leaders of the American civil rights movement.
A Nobel Peace Prize winner at the age of 35, Dr King was integral to the fight for equality.
The letter, which has been owned by an anonymous private collector, is for sale through Moments In Time.
According to the autograph dealer, there has already been interest in the letter, which can be seen here.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments