I weep. The “conscience of the Congress” has been laid to rest.
A horse drawn wagon carried the flag covered remains of Congressman John Lewis across the bridge that caused him so much harm in the past. The street was lined with mourners, shouting their thanks and singing songs of freedom. As is fitting for someone who dedicated his life to civil rights and voting rights, he will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington D.C. so that a grateful nation can pay their respects.
They tried to silence him. They tried to intimidate him. They tried to kill him. Now his voice rings loudly through the land even at his death and will continue to be a clarion for the future.
America mourns the loss of this great man whose humility and love was born of strife and injustice. In these days of national discord, laced with fear that our beloved democracy is in peril–fracturing with hate, intolerance, deception, and brutality—we draw strength from John Lewis’s life of non-violent, life-affirming, hope-filled actions.
“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
– John Lewis tweet from June 2018
I weep for our nation. I weep for the Others who are not like me who have suffered indignity, injustice and unwarranted harm.
I pledge to get in “good trouble” and fight for every American’s right to vote and to be heard.