Congressman leaves impression on students

Civil rights hero John Lewis visits campus to receive award

By Sasha Roe

Monday, October 22, 2007

A driving force of the civil rights movement met with students and told them not to be silent and if they saw something unfair in life. Civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.) received the Dole Leadership Prize to honor his civic engagement Sunday.

Congressman Lewis met a standing ovation in the Lied Center as he sat with Dole Institute director Jonathan Earle. Earle said Lewis was evidence that politics could be an honorable profession.

Lewis grew up in Troy, Ala., and witnessed racial discrimination daily. He said even as a young child he wanted to make a change.

“I tasted the bitter fruits of racism,” Lewis said. “And I asked why.”

After high school, Lewis said he applied to the all-white Troy State College. He said he never heard back from the college and decided to write Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. a letter telling him he needed his support. In March 1958, Lewis boarded the bus to Montgomery to meet King for the first time. Lewis said he still remembered the first words King spoke to him. He said King asked, “Are you the boy from Troy? Are you John Lewis?” Lewis said he answered, “Dr. King, I am John Robert Lewis.”

At age 18, Lewis organized sit-in demonstrations at lunch counters in Nashville, Tenn. Lewis said those situations strengthened his dedication to nonviolence. He said people would spit and put out lighted cigarettes on them. Lewis said despite the treatment he never wanted to turn back.“I accepted nonviolence as a way of life,” Lewis said.

Lewis also reflected on the march across Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965, that came to be known as “Bloody Sunday.” Lewis said he and 600 others were marching peacefully when they were met by state troopers. Lewis said the troopers said the march was an unlawful and began to attack the marchers. Lewis was hit in the head by a state trooper.

“I said to myself, ‘This is it,’ ” Lewis said. “ ‘I’m going to die here on this bridge.’”

The event led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Lewis soon became one of the youngest leaders of the civil rights movement and was one of ten speakers at the March on Washington where King gave his famous “I have a dream” speech. Lewis said he still lived by King’s quote “Hate is too heavy a burden to bear.”

Lewis told students he was inspired at a young age to “get in trouble, but a good trouble,” and he encouraged students to speak up for injustice.

Michael Gray, Buhler sophomore, said he remembered when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Lewis was the conscience of the Congress. Gray said he was excited to hear from such a historical leader.

“One gains a special appreciation for history when learned directly from the source,” Gray said.

Camille Clark, Black Student Union member and Kansas City, Kan., junior, met the Congressman and said he talked to her about how to make an impact on campus. Clark said meeting Lewis was something she won’t forget. She said it was hard to believe she stood next to someone who had done such significant work for the African American community.

“He’s right up there with Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks,” Clark said.

Derrais Carter, Black Student Union member and Kansas City, Kan., senior, said he was impressed with meeting Lewis. Carter said it meant a lot to him to hear the congressman speak.

“He’s a linkage to the past,” Carter said. “He’s a linkage to our heritage.”

Sen. Donald Betts (D-Wichita) said he admired Lewis for what he achieved despite the many trials he experienced.

“He has been a risk taker,” Betts said. “When he crossed that bridge in 1965 he was taking a chance. He continued to fight. I think that’s a testament to his life.”

— Edited by Luke Morris

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