A Presidential Tribute To John Lewis

Posted on by under education, Law and justice, Political commentary, Racism & Bigotry, Social commentary

The incumbent in the White House chose not to honour the late John Lewis as he lay in state in the U.S. Capitol, but that incumbent is irrelevant in this case.  More relevant are the words of former President Barack Obama who wrote a beautifully touching tribute to Mr. Lewis, and so I share President Obama’s words with you today …

My Statement on the Passing of Rep. John Lewis

ObamaWRITTEN BY

Barack Obama

Dad, husband, President, citizen.

America is a constant work in progress. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further — to speak out for what’s right, to challenge an unjust status quo, and to imagine a better world.

John Lewis — one of the original Freedom Riders, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the youngest speaker at the March on Washington, leader of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Member of Congress representing the people of Georgia for 33 years — not only assumed that responsibility, he made it his life’s work. He loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise. And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example.

Considering his enormous impact on the history of this country, what always struck those who met John was his gentleness and humility. Born into modest means in the heart of the Jim Crow South, he understood that he was just one of a long line of heroes in the struggle for racial justice. Early on, he embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as the means to bring about real change in this country, understanding that such tactics had the power not only to change laws, but to change hearts and minds as well.

In so many ways, John’s life was exceptional. But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do. He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what’s right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect. And it’s because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon in that long journey towards a more perfect union.

I first met John when I was in law school, and I told him then that he was one of my heroes. Years later, when I was elected a U.S. Senator, I told him that I stood on his shoulders. When I was elected President of the United States, I hugged him on the inauguration stand before I was sworn in and told him I was only there because of the sacrifices he made. And through all those years, he never stopped providing wisdom and encouragement to me and Michelle and our family. We will miss him dearly.

It’s fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer’s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Afterwards, I spoke to him privately, and he could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office. I told him that all those young people — of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation — they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn’t know it. They had understood through him what American citizenship requires, even if they had heard of his courage only through history books.

Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.

32 thoughts on “A Presidential Tribute To John Lewis”

    • You are so very right. He and Michelle both had class and integrity, something that is sorely lacking in the White House today. I follow him on Twitter and as you say, his words are always kind, always intelligent, and never hurtful to anyone. How I miss having him at the helm of this ship!

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  5. Pingback: A Presidential Tribute To John Lewis — Filosofa’s Word | ShiraDest: toward The Four Freedoms for All Human Beings

  6. Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
    Indeed … It would have been insulting to hear from the “Fool on the Hill!! … “the incumbent (squatter) in the White House is irrelevant in this case. More relevant are the words of former President Barack Obama who wrote a beautifully touching tribute to Mr. Lewis, and so I share President Obama’s words with you today … ”

    Liked by 5 people

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  11. Jill, decency, empathy, class. Three words that not top of mind to define the incumbent president, but are very much top of mind to define Messers. Obama and Lewis. The incumbent is wondering why people like Dr. Fauci more – decency, empathy, class. Keith

    Liked by 6 people

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  15. The words of a real man in tribute to a giant. It really is time that the heroes of Selma to Montgomery could lie down in a well deserved sleep and not still spend their twilight years encouraging the next generation of grandchildren and great-grandchildren to try and achieve the equality still missing, Times have taken a negative turn under this racist President who looks to the past for treating with the race problem through the KKK and other groups. maybe under a new Democrat Presidency new hope can be brought forth
    Cwtch

    Liked by 5 people

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    • You are so right … a real man, a real leader, a real human being. I think most of us are hoping to see some comparable leaders rise out of the Black Lives Matter movement, and we’re also hoping to replace the incumbent with a new leader, one who cares about people and equality.
      Cwtch

      Liked by 3 people

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