Almost sixty-three years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white person, she has trended on Twitter after a moving and poignant episode of "Doctor Who." The show has been praised for its direct approach to Racism, and its relevance not only in Montgomery in 1955 but also in modern society.
The direct approach to racism was not only relevant in its content but also through its characters. Perhaps the most affected by is Ryan Sinclair, played by Tosin Cole who throughout the episode is able to relate his own experiences in 2018 to those of 1955.
In a touching moment, he tells Rosa Parks "It'll get better you know, not perfect but better."
Shortly after arriving in 1955 Ryan is slapped in the face by a white man, after touching the man's white wife and trying to return her scarf. Although he is able to control himself at this moment, he is haunted by the experience and relates it to being stopped by the police regularly while his white friends are left alone.
A Twitter user wrote;
That #DoctorWho episode about #RosaParks Montgomery 1955 may very well be the most important hour of TV shown in the toxic UK in 2018. Hit home the horrors of racism to a young audience without patronising them in any way. Staggering job. Deserves the praise it is getting.
— Shane Brown (@shanebrown74) October 21, 2018
Perfect Timing
Although the Tardis failed to take the Doctor and her companions back to modern day Sheffield, it did take them back to an important part of History.
The day before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus.
Ironically this episode aired on the same day as footage was released of a RyanAir passenger refusing to sit next to an elderly black woman. The event was recorded by an onlooking passenger and caused outrage as the air stewards agree to move the woman, while the man dubbed a "Racist," was allowed to remain in his seat.
One Twitter user wrote;
Really depressing the #drwho based on #RosaParks which is such a brilliant idea falls on the same day as the @Ryanair story. SHAME ON YOU @ryanair. Shame.
— polly kelly (@pollykeaton) October 21, 2018
Many felt that the man should have been refused flight and removed from the aircraft after calling the elderly woman an "Ugly black B*****d." RyanAir has been criticised for their response in this situation.
Another Twitter user wrote;
You’ll get racially abused and they’ll ask you to move and then console the abuser? #RyanAir
— B (@TweetsByBilal) October 21, 2018
Moving moments
The emotional ending to Doctor Who had viewers in tears as Andra Day's "Rise up" played over the scene of Rosa Parks arrest while the Doctor and her companions were forced to watch on. Vinette Robinson who played the role of Rosa Parks was an excellent tribute to the woman who refused to give up her seat, remaining calm and composed as she was arrested.
Bradley Walsh's character Graham, a recent widow and retired bus driver added to the emotion as he stood helpless watching on. Rosa Parks was a reminder of his recently deceased wife; a strong, black woman who stood up for herself and her rights.
A Twitter user responded with;
Bradley Walsh has been great in every episode of #doctorwho so far but tonight he blew it out of the water. So moving, well played sir #BradleyWalsh
— Emily CadHart (@EACadHart) October 21, 2018
In the final moments of the episode, the group returns to the Tardis where they watch significant moments of Rosa Parks life before The Doctor tells them "She changed the world, in fact, she changed the universe," before showing them an asteroid that has been named Rosa Parks in honour of the Civil Rights Activist.
This latest "Doctor Who" episode has certainly helped to promote the current conversation on racism today, although the events of 1955 were shocking, some viewers were not surprised by them, still experiencing similar encounters even in modern society. But the hard-hitting episode still had an impact and the fact it is trending on Twitter is just one way to prove this, allowing people from all over the world to have their say.
