Remembering the Journey of John Lewis
“Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.”
These compelling words was said by the late civil rights activist, John Lewis whose earthly journey came to an end just a week ago. He understood the part he needed to play in establishing the rights of black people in the United States and he understood that this war was one that would be fought for generations. Many know of John Lewis’ journey and his push for progress in the black community. He was a great man, a great leader, and his journey will not be forgotten.
John Lewis’ journey and struggle for Civil Rights extended far beyond the years he wanted to and far beyond what others had expected it to. Lewis began his push for Civil Rights in 1963’s March on Washington. He then led marches in Selma and witnessed first-hand Bloody Sunday, an event in which armed police officers attacked unarmed protestors. Lewis wasn’t deterred by what he saw and continued pushing. Pushing for rights, pushing for equality, and pushing for peace.
Lewis would eventually become a member of Congress in 1986 which gave him a bigger voice and more resources to help him and the struggle he endured to better the black community. Here he would serve in Congress for 17 terms and during these terms he always kept something at the front of his mind. The struggle that he is enduring is a struggle that will go on for more than a day, a week, or even a year. He knew what he was doing was for the generations to come.
Lewis at the age of 80 was still seen marching for the Black Lives Matter protests following the unlawful killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Protests that ask the police to be held accountable for the actions and pleading with the government to acknowledge that Black lives are just as important as other lives.
In the past few months, the Black Lives Matter movement has gained much needed attention. A movement that is dedicated to holding the cops accountable for the unlawful killings of unarmed African Americans in the U.S. This movement started in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman’s trial in which he gunned down a black teenager walking home at night. Ever since, people across the nation have been screaming and yelling Black Lives Matter. A statement that most people believe shouldn’t be as defended against as it currently is in a nation that preaches equality.
Lewis doesn’t get a chance to see what will become of the Black Lives Matter movement. He doesn’t get to witness what all his work and commitment will help solve and establish. Lewis died July 17th, only a couple weeks ago and nation has yet to get over the impact and sadness of his death but thankfully what he did will always be remembered.
John Lewis once said “Marching is the blueprint. It is a roadmap. It is now, it is for the future.” Marching leads to progress. It leads to rights being won and laws being enforced and changed. Lewis did his part by helping create this roadmap and layout the blueprint to proving that Black Lives Matter. His journey came to an end but the legacy he built will continue to live on.
We remember John Lewis and what he did in his lifetime and we take heed to the lessons he taught us. We continue to push forward knowing that the struggle that John Lewis fought for is still ongoing and that this struggle is not one that is won in days, weeks, or months.
