The only known letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. to civil rights heroine Rosa Parks could be yours.
According to reports, the historic item, written in 1960, went on sale for $125,000 on Tuesday by the website Moments in Time. The site’s curator Gary Zimet said, “It’s the only letter I’m aware of from King to Parks.”
Dated April 12, the kind note is a response to a March 14th letter the civil rights leader received from Parks. Explaining his delayed response, he wrote, “An extremely crowded schedule has stood in my way.”
“Your very kind words are very encouraging and consoling,” he told Ms. Parks. “In the midst of constant harassment and intimidation because of my involvement in the civil right struggle I often find myself asking, ‘Is it worth it?’ ” King shared. “But then a friend of good will comes along with kind and encouraging words that gives me renewed vigor and courage to carry on. Your letter serves such a purpose.”
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Parks became a civil rights figure in 1955 after she refused to give up her bus seat to a White man and sparked a 13-month Montgomery, Ala. bus boycott.
As for the origin of the document, Zimet said, “It emanates from the Rosa Parks family. Beyond that, I cannot be more specific.”
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