http://www.westbranchtimes.com/article.php?id=5554
by Dave Bradley
March 24, 2010
A true American Hero. During this tumultuous period before the vote
on health care reform we have seen some repulsive behavior. We are
constantly belabored by the talking points of opponents. Often these
talking points are repeated verbatim displaying little understanding
of the speakers on what they are saying.
But of all the sad scenarios that this debate has birthed, I doubt
that anything could have made me sadder than what I heard about and
saw Saturday, March 20th.
Two members of Congress were spit upon and called racial epithets. My
heart sank. I saw our country take a giant 50-year backwards step.
John Lewis and Emmanuel Cleaver, two African-American members of
Congress were subject to this abhorrent behavior.
While I admit I do not know much of Emmanuel Cleaver, I do know
something about John Lewis. Mr. Lewis is a man whose life should be
taught in classrooms throughout the country. As a young man Mr. Lewis
joined in the Freedom Rides that tested access to public
transportation in America for all people. This was at a time when
such actions often resulted in terroristic attacks on the Freedom
Riders. John Lewis was beaten nearly to death.
Yet the cause was so great that John Lewis would stand again and
again and put his life and freedom on the line. During the march on
Washington, and especially during the three Selma to Montgomery
marches Lewis was a key player. As the leader of the Student
Non-violent Coordinating Committee, John Lewis led the first march
from Selma to Montgomery. And he was beaten bloody by billy-club
wielding police. And as a young man I watched the scenes from Alabama
flicker across my black and white TV screen. And I witnessed
incredible acts of courage by the marchers as the forces of the state
of Alabama tried to intimidate them from being able to exercise their
rights as citizens.
John Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986. As a member of Congress
he has championed the cause of the poor and the downtrodden. And for
many of these past two decades, I have no doubt that Mr. Lewis held
out hope that the racial hatred that put his life in jeopardy had
been put to sleep.
Unfortunately, those who want to gain power by stirring up fear that
makes the populace vote for demagogues have re-awakened the sleeping
giant. Signs of the return of racial hatred have slowly made
themselves more and more visible. Who can forget the venom spewing
woman at the John McCain rally during the last campaign? Most have
seen various signs of President Obama portrayed as a witch doctor or
an ape or suggestions of lynching.
And now we have come full circle with the return of physical attacks
and racial slurs. And once more, John Lewis leads against those who
employ such tactics by not being intimidated, by standing above such
attacks and by once again standing up for those whom the system
chooses to deem not as worthy as others.
Thank you, John Lewis. You are what makes America great. And you
stand as a model for our young people.
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