Monday, February 18, 2019

Black History Month - John Lewis - U. S. Rep. & Civil Rights Leader


I have nothing but the deepest respect and admiration for U. S. Representative and Civil Rights Leader, John Lewis

The above YouTube video is of John Lewis speaking about his part/experience during 'Bloody Sunday' on Oprah's Masterclass on the OWN channel. The video footage is graphic and the message John Lewis shares is powerful. 

Thank you, Mr. Lewis, for your role in helping to peacefully fight against social injustice during the Civil Rights Movement and your continued contribution for equal rights.

The following is a quote from Wikipedia about John Lewis:
"Lewis became nationally known during his prominent role in the Selma to Montgomery marches when, on March 7, 1965 – a day that would become known as "Bloody Sunday" – Lewis and fellow activist Hosea Williams led over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. At the end of the bridge, they were met by Alabama State Troopers who ordered them to disperse. When the marchers stopped to pray, the police discharged tear gas and mounted troopers charged the demonstrators, beating them with night sticks. Lewis's skull was fractured, but he escaped across the bridge to Brown Chapel, the movement's headquarter church in Selma. Before Lewis could be taken to the hospital, he appeared before the television cameras calling on President Johnson to intervene in Alabama. Lewis bears scars from the incident on his head that are still visible today."
I want to read the following books by John Lewis: March (graphic novel trilogy) and Walking With The Wind: A Memoir of the Movement.

2 comments:

  1. Very timely! I have learned much about John Lewis in the biography I am reading about Martin Luther King. I have read March, the first one of the trilogy. It is excellent. Happy Black History Month!

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    1. I've purchased the March trilogy and am hoping to read it soon.

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