The name John Lewis will remain embedded in the memories of Americans as a champion for racial equality. From a tender age, he participated in peaceful campaigns that culminated in African Americans' emancipation from the oppressive injustices from White Americans. During his funeral, Former U.S President Barack Obama eulogized him as someone who had a 'storied, remarkable career.' (Seelve, 2020) In addition, another former President, Bill Clinton, averred that he would inject every American with the passion that John Lewis possessed since he was the age of four if he had the ability. John Lewis, a Member of the U.S House of Representatives from Georgia, has been eulogized far and wide and praised.
John Robert Lewis was born and raised in the outskirts of Troy, Alabama, on February 21st, 1940. He was the third born child of Willie Mae and Eddie Lewis. His parents did not have a formal job or education. Hence, they worked as sharecroppers (John, 2020). As a young boy, he would help his parents on the farm while attending classwork.
As a very young man, he observed how white Americans discriminated against African-Americans with a keen eye. The instances of bus boycotts also enamored lewis, and he viewed them as a means of expressing displeasure due to racial segregation. He developed an interest in preaching while listening to the sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King Junior on the radio. He dreamed that one day he would meet this eloquent speaker that was so passionate about the plight of the African Americans during the Civil Rights ERA.
Though Lewis used to imitate preachers, he gave a moving public sermon at the age of fifteen. Later on, he met influential civil rights activists such as; Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Junior. In 1957, Lewis departed Alabama and headed for Nashville, Tennessee (Biography, 2016). He had secured a position to study theology at the American Baptist Theology Seminary. At this institution, John Lewis learned one of his most influential traits in fighting racial equality; peace. He graduated from the school of theology and was ordained a Baptist preacher. Immediately after this juncture, he joined Fisk University, earning a degree in Philosophy and Religion.
Lewis became active in the civil rights movement when he was a student at Fisk in Nashville. He is on the record for being part of the famous 'Nashville Sit-In Movement.' A group of Black students would sit in places secluded for White America to desegregate the downtown part of the state. He continued to fight for racial equality as a student by organizing bus boycotts. He attended workshops focused on nonviolent protest. At Clark Memorial United Methodist Church, Rev. James Lawson and Rev. Kelly Miller Smith instilled in Lewis and other students in attendance that there were peaceful and effective ways of expression. It is at this juncture point that Lewis adopted his long life phrase; "Good trouble, necessary trouble." (Twain, 2010) With this phrase, he resulted in the use of nonviolent means of expression.
In 1961, he voluntarily took part in the 'freedom ride' destined to New Orleans from Washington D.C. (Zeitz, 2020). The demonstrative activity involved six black people s and seven white people s six black people, and seven white people(or allies) fed up with the Jim Crow rules that thrived in the South bus terminus. They would sit on seats reserved for the Whites white people. This daring activity did not sit well with the white commuters, and Lewis was subjected to brutal mob justice and was arrested severally. So to mob justice and many of them detained severally.
By 1963, Lewis' presence was starting to have an impact on the African-American community. He took up leadership of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1963 till 1966 (Zeitz, 2020). During his reign, the movement was involved in activities that sought to elevate advance the quality of life for the status of the African Americans, and also fight for desegregation in the South. The movement opened Freedom Schools and came up with the Freedom Summer. The Freedom Summer was an attempt to have get African Americans be registered to vote. included in the voters' register. He encouraged college students to travel to the South to offer assistance to the African Americans attempting to register to vote. So that the m This experience would give students a could get an accurate picture of segregation in the South. In the South. Lewis composed a speech in readiness for the March on Washington. He was one of the six key organizers of the March on Washington for the march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. ( John, 2020). , Dr. Martin Luther King Junior MLK (John, 2020). Just before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr delivered his legendary speech, 'I have Have a Dream,' Lewis had the opportunity of a lifetime. He gave a moving speech with the same audience that the great Dr. Martin Luther King Junior enjoyed.
Together with Hosea Williams, Lewis rallied an estimate of six hundred peaceful protestors on the great Selma to Montgomery Marches on March 7th, 1965 (Conway, 2010). The march intended to advocate for voting rights for the Blacks black people in the State state. However, as the peaceful protestors under the stewardship of Hosea Williams and Lewis began marching over the Edmund Pettis Bridge, they became confronted by Alabama State Troopers. The protesters endured a merciless beating during this confrontation. This pivotal horrific moment in history is known as "Bloody Sunday" Lewis suffered a fracture on the skull and barely escaped with his life. Till his death, he had a scar on his head that reminded him vividly of the 'Bloody Sunday.'
Nevertheless, the brutality meted on Lewis did not stop him from championing for desegregation of the South. In 1966, he became the Director of VEP (Voter Education Program). While working in this sector, he significantly impacted politics, for he added an estimate of four million minority races to the voter register (John, 2020).
President Jimmy Carter acknowledged the work of Lewis, and he appointed him to be the Director for volunteers' action. In 1981, Lewis clinched the seat for the Atlanta City Council. His determination led him to become the U.S Representative of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District from 1986 until his demise on July 17th, 2020, and July 17th, 2020. By the time he died, Lewis had made a significant impact in the political arena in American politics. He served for seventeen consecutive terms. John Lewis had several leadership positions in Congress. On top of representing his people constituents, he served as the Dean of the Georgia Congressional Delegation. The is change agent also led the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives of the U.S. In 1991, he acted as the Chief Deputy Whip. His status was advanced elevated in 2003 when he assumed the Senior Chief Deputy Whip title.
John Lewis was a Liberal Democrat who did not fear to air his opinion on social and political matters. John Lewis strongly opposed the Gulf War in 1991. In 2000, he differed with a trade agreement between the U.S and China (Zeitz, 2020). Not on one occasion has Lewis criticized a Presidential Candidate or a President-elect. He withdrew his support for Hillary Clinton in the 2008 elections in favor of former President of the U.S United States, Barrack Obama. John Lewis refused to attend George Bush's Presidential Inauguration and stated that John Lewis did not share that Bush was the rightfully elected candidate. He became entangled in a battle of words with the current President of the U.S, Donald Trump. He refused to attend Trump's Inauguration.
John Lewis has received multiple honorary awards and recognitions. He used nonviolent means to fight for better treatment of Blacks in America Black Americans (or black people in America. His legacy will be celebrated forever, not only in Atlanta but in the whole of America and the world. Atlanta has not only lost a representative but an icon. "Good trouble, Necessary trouble," lives on.
ATL+ is your must-read magazine for all the latest news and pop culture. Since August 2020, we’ve provided readers a chance to read about topics that interest them the most. From tourism to politics, our articles were written by a talented team of writers to help you stay in the loop about the latest trends and news.
