Lewis’ final words leave lasting impression

     Our country lost a true leader a couple of weeks ago when Congressman John Lewis lost his battle with cancer.

     Lewis not only served for several decades in U.S. House of Representatives, he was also a national civil rights leader. He marched right alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. in the ‘60s all in an effort to bring about awareness for equality for people of color. Ironically the same sentiments are being shared today, just as Lewis’ life came to an end.

     Unbeknownst to many, just before his passing on July 17, Lewis released an opinion piece to the New York Times about his praise for the people of all ages, all creeds, all backgrounds, all races who have re-ignited the civil fight for civil rights. (I’m well aware that there have been those rioting and those conducting peaceful, legal protests.)

     Reading Lewis’ op-ed was quite emotional and gave one hope for a country in which people come together, rather than continue to tear one another apart…

     “…I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life, you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society.”

     Lewis noted that those peaceful protesters “set aside race, class, age, language, and nationality” to demand and see change.

     Lewis’ fight for equality is what brought him from Georgia to Washington, D.C., where he ended up serving in Congress for over 30 years. He said he sees that same fight in young people today.

     “…I was searching for a way out, or some might say a way in…”

     In the South during Lewis’ young life, he grew up in the midst of segregation. He wanted a better life for Black people, a “way out,” as he put it. But it also led him into Congress where he had the power to implement that change.

     Of his idol, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lewis shared, “He (King) said it is not enough to say it will get better…He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up, and speak out. When you see something that is not right, you must say something.”

     Lewis witnessed first-hand the unspeakable acts of violence that Black people were subjected to during the times of segregation. In fact, he was victim to it himself. Having had those unfortunate experiences, Lewis joined King in speaking out against such violence simply because of the color of one’s skin.

     And when he was elected to Congress, Lewis continued fighting for the less fortunate, those without a voice, those who didn’t feel they were represented.

     Aside from standing up for what you believe, Lewis’ op-ed also urged people to read about, learn about, and study U.S. history, for history repeats itself, and we can all learn from history.

     This homage to Rep. John Lewis isn’t meant to be political; it’s not meant to hold up a long-time Democrat in Congress. When Sen. John McCain passed away in 2018, I had the same sentiments toward his service to our country, both his military service and his years in congress. And McCain was a Republican.

     Despite political party, some many great leaders have passed, leaving lasting impressions and lessons for us all to carry on.