This is a hard one. How many more can we lose?
I don’t know what else to say.
This is devastating for us in Georgia. DEVASTATING. All I can do is give you what I am listening to and crying. Thank you for your service, Mr. Lewis. And it is time for us to get into GOOD TROUBLE once again or this country will fail. Now is the time for all of us to go to jail!
This shit in Portland is obscene!
Hey Boo!
You are amazing!
“Just another day without you”….I loved that song and still do.
While driving home this afternoon from my sister’s house, I listened to NPR at 6 and I was so glad to hear the entire hour was dedicated to his entire life. It is a hour drive and I so enjoyed hearing about his childhood, though, it was not happy story. But it was a narrative I had not heard before. I cried, and I had my first “grown up” talk my 6 year old, about why this man was important in history. I, too, am still struggling because there is so much more to his life that I still want to make sure know. And alot of people in America still don’t know or appreciate him.
John Lewis a giant who ate from the Salmon of Wisdom –
‘When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something, to say something,’” – John Lewis
“It is the power in the way of peace, the way of love,” Lewis said. “We must never, ever hate. The way of love is a better way.” – John Lewis
“Sláinte!” – “To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die.”
I read about John Lewis and my heart sank, and then I was worried about how you would take the news. What a wonderful man and what a wonderful legacy. Tuatha already posted some quotes, and I try to fill my heart with peace. He was a wise man, and I shouldn’t hate on the evil people who carry on, but I do.
So in his honor I gave up the hate for a day, and let peace fill my heart.
The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest. Raise your glass in his memory.
John Lewis was one of my father’s heroes.
I came back to read this a couple of times. We hear about the worst of humanity so often, but there are the little things, the being kind that I see every day. I will raise my glass to John Lewis and your father. I hope to not be a bystander in the future.
I am a firm believer that what you do when no one is looking defines who you are. The little acts of kindness in your daily life are the most basic thing we can do as humans to make this world a better place. And recyle as much possible.
John Lewis and C.T Vivian in one week. It is such a difficult time. Im struggling. It is time for Good Trouble.
May the sunshine of comfort shine through the gloom of despair.
This is devastating. He was an amazing man
He was a true icon.
The world need to get better, fast.
Being from Chicago and still having a condo there at the corner of Michigan and Chicago Ave.. I am devastated at what the alleged leadership of that city is allowing to happen. That alleged leadership has failed every single Citizen. It’s unlivable at this point unless you stay inside. For those of us that worked our asses off our entire lives, paying our taxes AND the alleged leaderships over inflated salaries just to watch this shit going on is heart breaking. Where is the outrage over babies and kids getting shot and killed? Where are those protests? Where? Why is this getting worse every weekend? That’s what I’m devastated about.
He was a giant among men. RIP.
My heart was so sad to hear of his death. We are losing so many people of integrity, dignity and passion. I know each generation has people who step up but I honestly couldn’t think of anyone who could fill his shoes. That scared me. It seems as if evil has gained a foothold when I was so sure we would never go back to those awful times. I’m a child of the 60s, saw the horrible conditions first hand, how on earth did we get back here?
He changed lives. He walked the righteous path. He was 80, so it’s not his death that makes me as sad as WHEN he died. It’s sad that he died at the most racially backward time in this century instead of when we turn it around again. But his death may inspire people who hadn’t heard of him until now to follow his teachings. That is an honorable legacy. Rest In Peace, Rest In Power.
The losses just keep coming…..
His memory will be a guide for generations to come. May we not fail in our attempt to right the wrongs and the injustices that still exist in this world. May we draw strength from Rep. John Lewis and all who Dreamed the Dreams of equality and who have passed over to the Glory that I hope awaited them on the other side. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
We will mourn deep in our hearts and then get back to work in honor of John Lewis.
RIP John Lewis, we lost an icon!
RIP! The world lost a hero.
Apologies for all of the trash categories at the end of the post. That was every category I’ve ever used. I don’t even have a way to do that if I wanted to. There was also no way to go in an remove them in mass so I did it by hand. I have a feeling it is some weird button combination on my new laptop that I kind of hate.
Anyway, the worst part of the passing of John Lewis is that we can’t go to the funeral because of the pandemic. Ordinarily, we would line the streets, but I am not sure that will happen in these difficult times.
People lining the streets should happen, but the damn pandemic doesn’t allow it. I do not want this man to be another death that gets swept under the rug.
Does it count if I can see streets filled with people in my mind?
My previous comment was before you made changes – didn’t mean to look like an ass.
Today I found out that John Lewis has written a graphic novel (comic book) series about his life – and attended the San Diego Comic Con (nerds in here will know what a big deal that is). He
HE COSPLAYED AS HIMSELF. He wore a jacket and a backpack like he wore in the march across the Edmund Pettis bridge. A 3rd grade teacher took his class to hear him speak – it got so crowded afterward that he couldn’t quite get the crowd to move.
So he lead the children on a march around Comic Con, holding hands like they did across that bridge.
When I saw that picture, I cried.
Such an amazing man. T, I have friends who are also in his district. They volunteered on several campaigns where he had endorsed the candidate, and met him many times as he was a frequent speaker at the HRC annual gala in Atlanta (an ally from way back!) They’re pretty upset as well. They’ve shared some pictures too – and they have an autographed life magazine from the 60s now too.
Also, people have made comments about how he must have been so discouraged by recent events. Quite the contrary.
I’m happy former President Obama made this as part of his statement. It gave me hope. I hope you don’t mind if I share it here:
“It’s fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer’s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Afterwards, I spoke to him privately, and he could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office. I told him that all those young people — of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation — they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn’t know it. They had understood through him what American citizenship requires, even if they had heard of his courage only through history books.”
Thanks for sharing. I didn’t see any snarky comments. I was just mortified when I saw all the strange categories in such a serious post. ::( I was (and still am) all in my feelings about this and need to stay away from youtube in general and gospel music specifically for a bit.
You are awesome and amazing!
I’m truly scared as amazing and courageous people are passing on. We Must carry on their work…generation after generation as necessary. The example has been given to us and we must do the right thing to keep making change. Praying for us all. ?
Re Portland: We don’t know what to say about it either.
My beloved city is angry. And the election is 3 months away…
(I’m not near downtown. But I’ve certainly been in the federal building (where the bulk of the current protesting is happening) for jury duty))
It’s fucked up. There’s a long history of police resentment here. George Floyd was a catalyst, like every other city.
The governor and mayor repeatedly asked federal officials not to get involved. That didn’t work. As they have, and things have dragged on, it’s concentrated downtown by that building, the jail, and another building. On July 4th a large protest involving illegal fireworks occurred.
… That doesn’t really help anything in a heated pot that needs deescalation. Violent altercations are rising, the shit you’re hearing about people blocks away being snatched off the streets because they are wearing black clothing is true.
These buildings are concrete forts.
… I never, in 20 years here, felt like I needed a serious safety protocol or possibly a small weapon to walk around after dark in this area of the city. It isn’t really dangerous. One needs to be alert, obviously, because, city. But that’s common sense.
I think we aren’t getting back to that anytime soon.
After President Obama was inaugurated, John Lewis approached him with a piece of paper and asked him to sign it as an autograph. President Obama agreed and wrote:”Because of you, John”
And if you are like me, having read that, you are crying. Again.
Hope everyone is doing ok. And I have really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments. Y’all are so well spoken. Thanks for blessing us with your presence.
Me, too. I learned some things about the late great Mr. Lewis and hope that his death and the focus on his achievements and person can be a catalyst for a new generation of heroes.
Hope is not dead, nor is raised consciousness. Thank you, Mr. Lewis.
No braver man ever walked this planet. They literally tried to kill him. Again and again. He walked the walk. God bless you John Lewis and may yours and Martin’s voices resonate through the land.