Good Trouble: Honoring Congressman John Lewis
I am moved by the passing of the man with a huge heart, enormous courage and giant spirit. He's the advocate for us "To get in Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble.' Yes, I'm talking about Congressman John Lewis. He showed us that the color of our skin was not a problem, we deserved equality and to use our voice to make a difference. He told us that the soul of America was the problem. He told us to be persistent, consistent and patient in our activism. I honor his legacy and I am grateful for his leadership. PGS created a shirt in his honor before he passed away, but we now wear it in homage of his life's work.
I am certain that you know how Congressman John Lewis began his political career by studying and writing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I was recently watching the film "Good Trouble" on Apple tv and I was amazed. (If you have not watched it, please do.) This pioneering man grew up in Troy, Alabama, in the heart of the deep segregated South, but rose to become a civil rights icon, champion of equal civil rights and Congressman in Georgia.
We can learn 3 things from the inspiring life of Congressman John Lewis. Micah 6:8 says, "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.” That's it and that's all. This is our tribute to our hero and icon, a modern day Biblical David, Congressman John Lewis.
1. Do Justice
Congressman Lewis taught us that voting is our moral obligation. He showed us that nonviolent direct action brings results and he encouraged us to show up at the voting polls no matter what. Congressman Lewis embodied justice. as a young teen he participated in the Charlotte sit-ins that changed how the trajectory of the South. This story is told in the movie "Seizing Justice: the Greensboro Four." He was short in height but a giant in heart. He was not intimidated by the Iron clad south, his goal was to desegregate the South. That was a monumental task, but it was also his life's mission.
He was also one of the first Freedom Riders. They were taking a trip to North Carolina to help integrate the bus terminals. He was beaten that day by a white klansmen. In addition, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote, "According to a 2013 press release – proudly issued by his office mind you – Lewis had been placed in handcuff 45 times. His spokeswoman said he was arrested 40 times during the Civil Rights Movement - fighting for justice, freedom and voting rights. And up until then, five times since he became a congressman." (ajc.com)
2. Stand Up for What is Right
"If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it." Congressman John Lewis marched on Edmund Pettus Bridge that dreadful day called "Bloody Sunday" on March 7, 1965 in Selma, Alabama. He helped to organize a march along with SNCC leader Hosea Williams. He was dressed in a trench coat and wearing a back pack as they approached the bridge. But they were stopped by brutal racist law enforcers who did not have the same vision of equality and justice. He was injured trying to flee to safety. The goal of the march was to bring awareness to voting rights in Alabama. Lewis said that he saw death that day.
Nevertheless he was willing to make a difference. But the scar became his inspiration to change things for the generations to come. There were many other protest that he would be apart of as the years continued. In fact, hI learned about Congressman John Lewis as a child. I heard the story of the youngest man to speak at the March on Washington in 1963. As we studied the magnitude of the event, I also heard about the several speakers who made their mark at the event. But I really started to take a look at Congressman Lewis when I studied "Bloody Sunday" in high school. In my African American History class, we learned of a young man who was injured on Edmund Pettus Bridge and had survived to become a great leader. I saw photos of him wearing a trench coat and carrying a backpack to seek justice. But as the emerged on the bridge they were attacked by viscous police officers who cared more about their race and defending separation and inequality - their own pride and civil rights, rather than that of Black people in America. I learned that the south was an ironclad force of segregation and degradation. It wasn't until I saw the movie Selma, while I was in seminary, that I started paying more attention to Congressman John Lewis. In my opinion, he personified LOVE- being willing to do what others would not do to make things better for someone else. The streets of Chicago would say "he had heart", "street credit", he wasn't all talk, and that he did something to make a change. I learned that he was arrested 45 times during his lifetime. 45 times! Congressman Lewis was elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 1986 and he represented the state of Georgia. He stayed there until his death July 17, 2020. In addition, he helped to organize the March on Washington of 1965 and to fundraise and spearhead the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Thats epic!.
3. Walk Humbly
Congressman John Lewis made everyone feel as if they were special. He did not know any strangers. That is the trait that many people spoke about at his memorial service on July 30, 2020. Pres. Bill Clinton remembered Congressman Lewis as "a good thinker who was on a mission bigger than himself." He continued by telling the story of a younger and smaller Congressman Lewis holding his aunt's hand as a man threatened to blow up his house in the south. Simultaneously they (he and his aunt) were trying to hold this house down. Can you imagine the fortitude and relentless faith it would take to face an enemy of this magnitude? That's the kind of man that he was. Although this story demonstrated the power of working together, it also revealed the humility of his spirit and the audacious hope he possessed. That same faith and hope would inspire him to become the youngest speaker at the March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963.
During this service the motif of 'marching on' was echoed several times and everyone was encouraged to "keep moving" because "None of us will be free until all of us are equal."- John Lewis The iconic Rev James Lawson recalled that John Lewis practiced the politics of the Declaration of Independence-- politics of the preamble of the Constitution. He met Congressman Lewis in Nashville when he was a young "John Lewis" at the workshop on civil disobedience. It was there that Congressman Lewis got involved in the national campaign for civil rights. He decided that with great fear and anticipation that they would desegregate downtown Nashville. (What a mission!) I call him an architect of the nonviolent movement because of the many sacrifices he made for justice in America, but Rev. Lawson informed the world that Congressman John Lewis was the one who came up with the name of the "Nonviolent Movement of America." We all stood corrected. What a powerful recollection and correction of history. Now we need to make sure that the history books record the right facts. But before I end this tribute, I have one more thing to share.
I actually met Congressman John Lewis at a birthday gala with Rev. Jesse Jackson in 2006. At that time, I served as an Executive Assistant to Mrs. Jaqueline Jackson and this job was EVERYTHING. On the night of the 65/40 celebration, he was one of the honorees of the evening. Now as I look back on that time, I'm still amazed. I recall him laughing, celebrating with his friend and being approachable and very down to earth. In fact, He was one of the easiest celebrities to work with that night. (lol) But I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to meet him. He will forever be an hero to me, and I hope that as a nation we will honor his genius leadership and live out his legacy of freedom and equality to the fullest.
Rest in Power Congressman John Lewis!
With gratitude,
Preacher Girl Swag