JOHN LEWIS; GOOD TROUBLE
The Isolation Blues;
reflections during covid-19
“John Lewis on the Edmund Pettus Bridge”
When you see something that is not right, you must say something. You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself. Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble…Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring. When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.
-Excerpt from an editorial written by John Lewis to be published in American newspapers on the day of his funeral.July 18th, 2020.
*
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
*
*
History is not made every day (news headlines yes, history is another matter altogether). But every once in a while there’s a day when there is something significant to note and it’s important that we do so. Congressman John Lewis’ funeral last week was one such moment. How often are we inspired by the events and content of someone’s life? The words of John Lewis and a lifetime of civil rights activism is one such contribution that will continue to have a positive impact for generations to come. I would like to think that we’ve made more progress than we have in the last 50 years regarding racism in America, but it’s becoming painfully clear that we haven’t. Remember back in 2008 after the election of Barack Obama when the media was asking the question “Are we living in a post-racial America?” Well, we now have the answer to that question.
I remember the Sunday School education I received years ago when I was a child that taught “God loves everyone, of every color and nationality.” (And this was before the passage of the 1965 Civil Rights Bill.) Although I would be challenged by my own personal blindspots and unconscious prejudice for years to come, I could clearly see the truth of universal love and equality even at a young age. Religion has been used to support and perpetuate racism and white supremacy but it is always a misapplication (or limitation) of universal truth.
We do not have to win the battle in one day. It is a long and sometimes brutal struggle to arrive at moments of justice and affirmation, but struggle we must. The journey itself (with love in our hearts) is the daily course that we assume as citizens in an America still taking strides to be America. As John Lewis said, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
In the woods,
Dave
August 7, 2020