Rest In Peace, John Lewis

On Friday night, lifelong activist and civil rights advocate John Lewis passed away at 80 years old after his fight against pancreatic cancer. After being one of the youngest leaders in the March on Washington in 1963, Lewis went on to represent Georgia’s fifth congressional district for seventeen terms while continuing to strive for equal rights and treatment for all. Lewis was one of the most influential and inspiring voices of my lifetime, and I hope his ideas live on for generations after him.

It saddens me that his passing came at such a turbulent and unstable time in this country. Recent events, protests, and movements have highlighted how far we still have to go as a nation. The same systemic injustices which Lewis identified throughout his life still exist just as much now as they ever have. Disproportionate incarceration rates, police violence, generational poverty, wage inequity, voter suppression, and gerrymandering are just some of the realities which many black Americans unfairly face on a daily basis in this country. The Black Lives Matter movement isn’t simply a trend, but instead a continuation and reminder that we need to actively seek legislative justice to address and resolve these systemic failures, continue to educate and familiarize ourselves with black history and experiences, and advocate for a just society which treats all fairly and equally.

It hurts to lose an icon who was such a powerful force toward progressivism and change in this country. While my outreach and influence is limited on this blog, I also believe in being the change I want to see in the world, which means speaking up about issues which need to be addressed. To quote John Lewis, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” In a time of struggle and strife, it’s important to stay engaged and active instead of accepting the inequities around us. That’s what I’m always going to continue to do. Rest in peace, and power, Mr. Lewis.

Thanks for reading.