Rosa Parks, Historical Complexity, and Timing Outrage

Juan Williams and Ellen Goodman address Rosa Parks' death and how her story was too often reduced to a comfortable and simplistic fable during her lifetime. The Williams piece is especially strong. Goodman is a bit defensively shrill, such as her response to Al Sharpton's gracious praise of Parks as "someone who 'changed American life, having never held public office, having no political ambition, just her quiet dignity and courage'.":

Is this how we praise women? As unambitious, accidental heroines?

I don't know, Ellen, is THIS how we honor the memory of our heroines? By making the story about our own outrage over something frankly not that outrageous? My God, I'd even say that on the whole, Sharpton was -- gasp -- right! There is plenty of reason still to be indignant over gender inequality in America. I'm not certain Goodman's piece captures it especially well or in the best context.

It must be hell being a featured columnist for one of the most respected newspapers in America.