‘What Did You Do? What Did You Say?’
The passing of civil rights icon John Lewis comes at a time when America is confronting some of the most dramatic social unrest since the 1960s, when, alongside Martin Luther King Jr., he spearheaded the push for racial equality.
Any attempt to encapsulate Lewis's contribution to democracy -- to "summarize" what he meant to a country which is still struggling to live up to the ideals espoused by founders who did not always exemplify the virtues they championed -- will fall woefully short. His
“Fate” is laziness. So is tradition. “Dreams” can be self fulfilling prophesies. People that realize their dreams know full well the work involved. Floyd went Global, he became a part of Kings Dream for a people and a Nation. The tradition of white deniability had a mirror shoved in its face because of Floyd. I assume Mr. Floyd had simpler ambitions, dreams, hopes.
John Lewis was always interesting. His family has much to be proud of.
The “dream” is very very difficult to achieve.
Even in the country with the national slogan, “Liberte, egalite, fraternite” ( i do not know how to add the appropriate accents), they struggle with implementation.
Thank you for introducing these concepts to some who may not otherwise encounter them on Fox News.
Not to sound hysterical, but we are at a desperate juncture in our history. We seem incredibly vulnerable to a political scenario similar to Germany in the 30’s. We already have our “charismatic” leader; our grievances (real or imagined), and our Brownshirts (armed to the teeth). We also have a daily source of official-sounding propaganda, presenting a warped view of the world to those already held in thrall by our president.
Those of us not driven by right-wing conspiracies tend to rely on our institutions and our police to maintain peace and order. With the police increasingly under fire by those opposed to Trump, I’m beginning to wonder. In a future confrontation, which side they will be on?
I don’t think you need to wonder… see Portland. Local officials and citizens did not request and have asked the federal agents to leave but they remain at the request of law enforcement. This is being threatened in other cities by Trump. Unmarked cars and unnamed agents collecting persons off the streets at will without charge… looks a lot like a trial run to start disappearing US citizens in the US. Welcome to Autocracy.
This is a wonderful post, thought provoking yet somber and even moving. We say rest in peace to a formidable American as it becomes clearer by the day the American experiment is indeed fragile, whatever progress we have made we owe in large part to individuals like Lewis.
I’m thinking that our “charismatic leader” will soon be voted out. And we will miss John Lewis.
The United States in the 1930s had its share of Nazi admirers, a strong anti-communist streak, and was in danger of failing. It was not a foregone conclusion that the US would eventually enter a war allied with Soviet Russia against Nazi Germany. The US at times in the 1930s was in danger of failing outright. Yet from the brink of failure, the US progressed through an incredibly eventful decade and a half to emerge after world war II as an immense economic and military power, with tremendous opportunities for many Americans. Though America was still racially divided, the events of the 1930s and 1940s set the stage for the incomplete, though significant advancements that occurred through the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s continuing to today. Fast forward a few years, not that long ago, to 2008, with the US embroiled in divisive wars, a divisive president Bush, and a rapidly failing economic system. It took a combination of circumstances to propel an outsider like Obama into the presidency, along with a Democratic majority (though fragile) in Congress. It can be said that the election of Obama led directly to the election of Trump–the anti-Obama. Uncouth vs urbane, instinctive vs thoughtful, narrow in frame of view vs expansive. But America continues on a changing demographic path that appears inexorable. Significant changes to the political and economic framework were bound to happen over time, regardless. But the see-saw from Bush to Obama, then from Obama to Trump, and the realization, as H discusses, that the US is at a crossroads and on the verge of failure, could very well propel us to a monumental and hopeful change starting this November. The Trump presidency of 2017-2021 could, in 50 years, be seen as the last gasp of the white nationalist core of American history. The transition will not be smooth, but out of 2020’s turmoil could well come a better America that fulfills the original promise for more than just the wealthy white landowners who drove the original American revolution. As for the power of the leading American capitalists Zuckerberg, Bezos, Gates, Buffet, etc: We had powerful capitalists in the late 1800s who were reigned in when their power became too absolute, when the people of America had nothing left to lose, and they rose up in opposing the concentration of wealth and power. We’re at that point today–though it is a more globalist, complicated world, and the terms of the debate are not so simply capitalist vs unions or capitalist vs socialist. Many of the richest now understand that their power and wealth is dependent on the continued functioning of the state. The understand that they need to sacrifice some of their wealth and power so as not to risk losing all of it in a destructive revolution or a failed American state. Those that don’t understand this (e.g. Bezos and Zuckerberg) will resist, but one can envision many scenarios in which their power will be truncated.
Thanks for your thoughtful post. We just need to get past November; fix Citizen’s United; eliminate gerrymandering and our current primary system (which encourage extremism); eliminate the electoral college; adjust each state’s allocation of senators so that population plays more of a roll; and deport anyone who refuses to wear a mask to protect others
Yeah, that’ll happen. Multiple constitutional amendments, no problem. When was the last one?
When people keep electing the same senators and congressmen time after time but expect things to change because they elect a different president shows an ignorance in basic civics education. I guess civics isn’t taught anymore. Change begins in the local government, the city and county councils, then filters up. The people that run the country figured this out years ago, they funded their people in the local elections, state elections and later the national elections which is why we are where we are today. The people than own the USA do not hold political office, it is beneath them, they phone in their orders on how the country is to be run from the Hamptons or Palm Beach..depends on the weather.
Thank you and thank those ‘speaking on it’ for making thr rest of us think. These battles never end because human nature is not all good and goodness is not so clear either. It takes many over hundreds of years: H, you are doing your part by clarifying ours and by pointing the way. Thanks.