John Lewis, An American Hero, Inspires Again!

The last time I watched John Lewis lead a historic demonstration was in March of 1965. I headed for a plane and went to Selma, Al to follow him and other great leaders of the civil rights movement. It looks like maybe a trip to Washington D.C. is in the cards.

Lewis is currently in a leadership role in the sit-in that has occurred in the US House of Representatives, an extraordinary and unheard of action. The Democrats in the House are demanding votes on a number of bills related to gun issues in the US. Lewis has, as usual, been eloquent in his explanation of the action. He reminds us that we "need to be headlights, not taillights" in efforts toward change. He also encourages us all "not to give in and not to give up or give out". As in many of his communications to students and activists throughout the years, John Lewis reminded us last night and today about the need sometimes to "get in the way, make noise, to get into trouble - good trouble" to bring about necessary change.

Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House, has pulled out a response reminiscent of the authorities in Selma 50+ years ago. He is saying, and he has instructed his followers to say, that this is nothing but a publicity stunt. Your damn right Mr. Speaker and an effective one to boot. That's the whole point of moral, non violent demonstrations - to shine a light on stupidity and injustice, to educate the public as well as the opposition that a position is morally flawed. Yes, just as the mayor and police chief in Selma said,"this is just a publicity stunt". The only thing he can't say is that it's being done by a bunch of outside agitators.

A friend sent me a note this morning and pointed out that we had both lived to see a sit-in in the House. "What else is possible?" he asked. Plenty I'm sure, especially with people like John Lewis still around and young people hearing his message. This is why it's important to keep telling the stories of Dorothy Day and Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King, Jr and Dan & Phil Berrigan.

How the violence and gun issue is resolved may be a question and people may differ on solutions but publicity stunts are better then massacres. Hopefully John Lewis will inspire more and more people to join, to take action, to get into trouble - good trouble. Peace John and keep it up!