“John Lewis: No Longer in the House.”
John Lewis, famed for his ungodly beating by state troopers at the Edmund Pettus Bridge during civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 60s, has moved on after his recent passing at 80 years old. Lewis was a youth when he joined the movement and went on to spend over 30 years as a U.S. Representative from Georgia. His life led luster to a group of politicians who usually garner low marks on public opinion polls.
Before this electoral period, as a young man, he led the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, known as “SNCC” by movement people, before Stokely Carmichael replaced him as chair of the group. Carmichael, who later took the names Kwame Ture to honor African leaders, represented the growing militancy of the Black freedom. Lewis became the archetype of activist-turned-politician and also exemplar of the civil rights movement itself.
In many ways, he, the son of sharecroppers, exemplified the classic American story of a spectacular rise from modest beginnings. He held fast to the teachings of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the rest of his life. John Lewis, 1940-2020, marched to his ancestors after 80 summers of life.
From imprisoned nation, this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
[Sound of prison door clanking open.]
These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.
[Sound of prison door slamming shut.]
