John R. Lewis: Hero
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
By Kenneth R. Jenkins
The name John Lewis can be listed among other endless names of heroes who made a difference during our time; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Harriett Tugman, Rosa Parks and many others.
He was a servant for the people he represented in the district serving as a Congressman in the Georgia House and on Capitol Hill or serving as a civil rights leader for the peace and freedom for our country.
Some called him a patriot, yes, I agree. Some say a legend, certainly he was and even after he’s long gone. Some say he was a fight, an agitator, yes as he would call “good trouble”.
I pray that his words over the course of time will not deadening but heard loud, clear and correct. I am hoping that we heed the words of what he said and take it to heart.
Carried a cross? I believe he did in order to bring and bridge hope to those who seem hopeless especially during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement where homes and churches were being bombed, people getting sprayed with hoses and dogs biting them and clubs swung at those who are marching, you can say he carried a cross and bared it until the day he died.
I believe that John Lewis was that agent of change we really needed in order to combat the war on racism. There’s picture in my office with his picture and a very interesting quote,” When people tell me nothing changed, I say come walk in my shoes and I will show you change”.
While watching to Congressman’s Lewis homegoing, his flag draped casket body made its final cross over the same bridge while he and other marchers was attempting to cross that day” Bloody Sunday”. Now, that circle has come around once more. And now once more, that circle won’t be broken before the healing begins.
The black and white pictures of what happened tells the story and you know, pictures don’t lie.
And now, we say goodbye to a hero of our time while he’s before our Lord surrounded by all of the Angels among high.
Kenneth R. Jenkins is a freelance writer, poet, minister, podcaster, husband.
Email: kennethreginaldjenkins@yahoo.com
— Savannah Herald
