Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.

Parks acknowledges racism as an ongoing reality rather than a problem solved by landmark victories like desegregation or civil-rights legislation. The pivot—“But it is up to us”—shifts from diagnosis to responsibility: adults must equip children with knowledge, resilience, and moral clarity to face prejudice and injustice. The final clause, “hopefully, we shall overcome,” echoes the movement’s spiritual and political anthem, balancing realism with faith in collective progress. The quote thus frames civil rights not as a completed chapter but as an intergenerational project requiring preparation, courage, and sustained community action.