plenzmd1 Posted July 19, 2020 Posted July 19, 2020 @B-Man, and anyone else interested in the history of the Freedom Riders...rent or watch this film. I knew so very little about before i watched this. https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Riders-Stanley-Nelson/dp/B084F21RFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=73F6X58DY4W1&dchild=1&keywords=freedom+riders&qid=1595159474&s=movies-tv&sprefix=freedom+%2Cmovies-tv%2C256&sr=1-1 The courage of these people will leave you awestruck. If you have children, I would highly recommend buying the film and watching with them. 1 1
RevWarRifleman Posted July 21, 2020 Posted July 21, 2020 Rest in Peace John. Thank you for all you did in your time here with us.
RevWarRifleman Posted July 21, 2020 Posted July 21, 2020 On 7/19/2020 at 7:59 AM, plenzmd1 said: @B-Man, and anyone else interested in the history of the Freedom Riders...rent or watch this film. I knew so very little about before i watched this. https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Riders-Stanley-Nelson/dp/B084F21RFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=73F6X58DY4W1&dchild=1&keywords=freedom+riders&qid=1595159474&s=movies-tv&sprefix=freedom+%2Cmovies-tv%2C256&sr=1-1 The courage of these people will leave you awestruck. If you have children, I would highly recommend buying the film and watching with them. Good on you plenz. When I was teaching Am. Hist, I would be sure to show my students the documentary on these young people. They were gutsy kids that tried to make a difference in a difficult area of our nation. 1
PetermansRedemption Posted July 21, 2020 Posted July 21, 2020 On 7/18/2020 at 5:59 PM, Rico said: Brothers from another mother (no pun intended). RIP This is why when I first saw John Lewis had passed my first thought was “isn’t he already dead” Thank you for posting this, I thought I was crazy.
K-9 Posted July 21, 2020 Posted July 21, 2020 There was a nice article in the BN about Lewis’s visit to his relatives in Buffalo when he was a kid. He held a special place in his heart for Buffalo ever since. I was struck by his feeling that Buffalo was a bastion of integration compared to where he grew up under Jim Crow. And his description of his father’s palpable relief when they crossed into Ohio on their way here made me realize where much of his rare courage and grace came from. RIP, John Lewis. Your legacy lives on.
The Dean Posted July 22, 2020 Posted July 22, 2020 Truly a great and inspiring man. I was going to say they don't make them like that any more but realized they've never made many like that. 2
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 Robert E. Lee high school in Virginia gets a name change: It's now John R. Lewis https://www.yahoo.com/news/robert-e-lee-high-school-231217689.html 3 1
The Dean Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 16 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: Robert E. Lee high school in Virginia gets a name change: It's now John R. Lewis https://www.yahoo.com/news/robert-e-lee-high-school-231217689.html That's a huge trade up, IMO. 3
Westside Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 On 7/21/2020 at 4:37 PM, K-9 said: There was a nice article in the BN about Lewis’s visit to his relatives in Buffalo when he was a kid. He held a special place in his heart for Buffalo ever since. I was struck by his feeling that Buffalo was a bastion of integration compared to where he grew up under Jim Crow. And his description of his father’s palpable relief when they crossed into Ohio on their way here made me realize where much of his rare courage and grace came from. RIP, John Lewis. Your legacy lives on. I really don't know much about him. But reading your post it seems he had a very life. I wonder if he ever wrote a book about his life. It would sure be interesting to read. RIP John
plenzmd1 Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 10 hours ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said: Robert E. Lee high school in Virginia gets a name change: It's now John R. Lewis https://www.yahoo.com/news/robert-e-lee-high-school-231217689.html Living in the Old Dominion, amazing how many things are named after the confederacy, even to this day. In Richmond we still have a Lee-Davis High School, The Freeman Rebels , and until a few years ago Harry Byrd Elementary . Byrd is the man/politician who wanted to shut down public schools in VA in opposition to desegregation. Prince Edward county schools were close for 5 years! google massive resistance to learn more! Lee , Davis and all iterations all over road names everywhere, rt 301 here in VA..pretty major thoroughfare, still Named Lee Jackson highway I believe
SlimShady'sSpaceForce Posted July 24, 2020 Posted July 24, 2020 1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said: Living in the Old Dominion, amazing how many things are named after the confederacy, even to this day. In Richmond we still have a Lee-Davis High School, The Freeman Rebels , and until a few years ago Harry Byrd Elementary . Byrd is the man/politician who wanted to shut down public schools in VA in opposition to desegregation. Prince Edward county schools were close for 5 years! google massive resistance to learn more! Lee , Davis and all iterations all over road names everywhere, rt 301 here in VA..pretty major thoroughfare, still Named Lee Jackson highway I believe Part of route VA-7 in Nova is called Harry Bird highway. John Mosby is also honored up here.
The Poojer Posted July 26, 2020 Posted July 26, 2020 In case anyone is interested, most networks and news outlets are covering the procession of John Lewis over the Pettus Bridge, it's just starting now 1
K-9 Posted July 30, 2020 Posted July 30, 2020 (edited) From this morning’s NY Times Quote By John Lewis Mr. Lewis, the civil rights leader who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death, to be published upon the day of his funeral. While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity. That is why I had to visit Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, though I was admitted to the hospital the following day. I just had to see and feel it for myself that, after many years of silent witness, the truth is still marching on. Emmett Till was my George Floyd. He was my Rayshard Brooks, Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. He was 14 when he was killed, and I was only 15 years old at the time. I will never ever forget the moment when it became so clear that he could easily have been me. In those days, fear constrained us like an imaginary prison, and troubling thoughts of potential brutality committed for no understandable reason were the bars. Though I was surrounded by two loving parents, plenty of brothers, sisters and cousins, their love could not protect me from the unholy oppression waiting just outside that family circle. Unchecked, unrestrained violence and government-sanctioned terror had the power to turn a simple stroll to the store for some Skittles or an innocent morning jog down a lonesome country road into a nightmare. If we are to survive as one unified nation, we must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best, shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain. Like so many young people today, I was searching for a way out, or some might say a way in, and then I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out. 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. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it. You must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time. People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time. Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others. 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. Our founders charged us all with making this a more perfect union. John Lewis dedicated his life to that proposition and did it with the rarest combination of courage, grace, and dignity. Edited July 31, 2020 by K-9 1
The Dean Posted July 31, 2020 Posted July 31, 2020 1 hour ago, K-9 said: From this morning’s NY Times Our founders charged us all with making this a more perfect union. John Lewis dedicated his life to that proposition and did it with the rarest combination of courage, grace, and dignity. You got that right, K-9. I watched as much of the funeral as I was able today. I'm typically not that excited about watching funerals, for many reasons. But I must say this was an unbelievable inspiring event. There really are some truly special people in this world.
BuffaloBud Posted July 31, 2020 Posted July 31, 2020 On 7/24/2020 at 6:45 AM, westside2 said: I really don't know much about him. But reading your post it seems he had a very life. I wonder if he ever wrote a book about his life. It would sure be interesting to read. RIP John He did write a book - "Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement". I'm reading it now. 1
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