Lewis to young Americans: Let power of love guide you
"When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something." - Rep. John Lewis
It's the easiest thing in the world, to revert to old routines that feel comfortable and familiar. But now the world demands we do better. It demands unconditional love and courage, allowing us to truly see each other with the heart and take bold action for unity and justice.
The importance of such action rang out vehemently, as numerous speakers honored the life of civil rights leader, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, in recent days. His story speaks so strongly, of the need to protect democracy and stand up for civil rights, with love and humility as the foundation of that work.
On Thursday, former President Barack Obama — the nation's first African American president — delivered the eulogy at Lewis's funeral at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Obama spoke of Lewis' younger days, as the son of sharecroppers in Troy, Alabama, and how significant those roots are.
"What a revolutionary notion, this idea that any of us ordinary people, a young kid from Troy, can stand up to the powers and principalities and say, 'No, this isn't right, this isn't true, this isn't just — we can do better.'"
Obama noted Lewis's unceasing perseverance, even when surrounded by the violence and hate directed at him and other activists. At age 21, Lewis was one of the original Freedom Riders, and at age 25, he led 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where they were beaten by police. That was one of three Selma-to-Montgomery marches, which highlighted racial injustice and led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act.
"He as much as anyone in our history brought this country a little bit closer to our highest ideals," Obama said of Lewis.
During this entire week, no stronger was the importance of action expressed, than in Lewis's own words. He wrote an op-ed days before his July 17 passing, and it was published on Thursday in the New York Times.
In his final writing, Lewis described how inspired he was to see millions, from all different walks of life, unite in protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
"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."
He urged people to continue that movement, remembering the philosophy of nonviolence taught by civil rights champion Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something," Lewis said. "Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself."
It's incumbent upon all of us to remember that democracy is indeed an act, and it's calling upon us all, right now. We're asked to examine old routines of thought, ask whether they are just, and find ways to better understand each other. With that, we lay the foundation for greater justice and peace. We make "opponents" into friends.
As we move forward together, no one path toward change will look the same. Small steps lead to larger action, and greater change.
In his op-ed, Rep. John Lewis spoke to the new generation of protesters that gave him and numerous others so much hope:
"When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide."
— Gareth Henderson