John Lewis during the week of President Barack Obama’s Inauguration
January 2009 may seem as if it were a lifetime ago, but I clearly remember inauguration weekend for the first African-American President Barack Obama. I just began my teaching career and was excited by this new change in America. I traveled to Washington DC to be a part of history. There were so many Americans visiting the State Capital and various sites to celebrate this momentous occasion. I happened to be walking along the National Mall when Soledad O’Brien, who at the time was a news anchor for CNN was finishing up an interview with someone important. It was so crowded, I could barely see who it was. When I was able to get a closer look, there was Civil Rights Activist and Congressman John Lewis. So many people gathered around him causing me to not be able to get a photo with him. At least I was able to be in the same place with a man who not only formed our country in that same location not too long ago, but was able bear witness to a historic moment he and so many others fought so hard for.
Picture of Rep. John Lewis
This moment was special because before I would begin teaching Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, I would show my students various parts of Eyes on the Prize. They were horrified by the racism and ugliness of America. What shocked them even more is they would see the many figures who had passed, but I could tell them there was still one person alive today; John Lewis. And he was a congressman! Students could not even imagine someone so young who had been beaten almost to death, was still alive and in power. It was always a proud moment.
Byrum Nichols (right) and Joseph Smith (left)
It is with a heavy heart Congressman John Lewis is no longer with us. Even though I can no longer tell my students he is alive, I can teach them to change people’s hearts and minds requires a sacrifice, but it does not mean you will lose yourself. Your actions could be the conscience in moving our nation to progress. This episode is a thank you to Congressman John Lewis from the words of people whose lives he touched throughout the country. I hope we can continue as a nation to carry on the torch of marching for the rights of humanity.
Reverend Priscilla with her grandchildren
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