BUFORDGAWOLVES Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe Congressman John Lewis, who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death. He wanted it to be published on the day of his funeral. His staff provided a copy of the essay to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the morning of July 30, four hours before his 11 a.m. funeral is to start. 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. Credit: Khalid Naji-Allah 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. ADVERTISING Ads by Teads 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. Credit: bsanderlin@ajc.com 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, though 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. Credit: Steve Schaefer 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. Per AJC. RIP John Lewis. bgw 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolebull813 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 John Lewis experienced racism, and discrimination. He can speak about it where it has meaning. Punks today talking about it, not so much. To cry about it now is to disrespect the past and the pain the men and women of that time had to endure. And if you are cracker white talking about black lives matter please sit the fuck down. Your virtue signaling falls on deaf ears 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBP66 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 16 minutes ago, Nolebull813 said: John Lewis experienced racism, and discrimination. He can speak about it where it has meaning. Punks today talking about it, not so much. To cry about it now is to disrespect the past and the pain the men and women of that time had to endure. And if you are cracker white talking about black lives matter please sit the fuck down. Your virtue signaling falls on deaf ears what a dumb ass red neck ^...you didn't see all the "crackers" marching with BLM protesters...in some cases it was a majority of "crackers" marching....those "crackers" are people with morals....something you know nothing about....you dumb-ass red neck... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolebull813 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 2 minutes ago, DBP66 said: what a dumb ass red neck ^...you didn't see all the "crackers" marching with BLM protesters...in some cases it was a majority of "crackers" marching....those "crackers" are people with morals....something you know nothing about....you dumb-ass red neck... Those crackers are anarchists and domestic terrorists. They aren’t marching for a noble cause. Don’t get it conflated. The marches from 60 years ago are NOTHING like the garbage today. You just hate this country so you cheer the terrorism on PS. There is no way you went to Bosco. You may have trespassed on their campus, but no way you were enrolled 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBP66 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 8 minutes ago, Nolebull813 said: Those crackers are anarchists and domestic terrorists. They aren’t marching for a noble cause. Don’t get it conflated. The marches from 60 years ago are NOTHING like the garbage today. You just hate this country so you cheer the terrorism on PS. There is no way you went to Bosco. You may have trespassed on their campus, but no way you were enrolled terrorism huh??….that's when a cop kneels on a victim for 8+ minutes to kill him in broad day light with people begging him to stop...that's terrorism...not the "crackers" who give a shit about their fellow Americans....you dumb-ass red-neck... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I AM IRONMAN Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 11 minutes ago, Nolebull813 said: Those crackers are anarchists and domestic terrorists. They aren’t marching for a noble cause. Don’t get it conflated. The marches from 60 years ago are NOTHING like the garbage today. You just hate this country so you cheer the terrorism on PS. There is no way you went to Bosco. You may have trespassed on their campus, but no way you were enrolled Remember who you are dealing with.... 🙊🙉🙈 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imaGoodBoyNow Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 1 minute ago, DBP66 said: terrorism huh??….that's when a cop kneels on a victim for 8+ minutes to kill him in broad day light with people begging him to stop...that's terrorism...not the "crackers" who give a shit about their fellow Americans....you dumb-ass red-neck... Victim ? Didn’t he put a gun to a pregnant girl’s stomach and his friends robbed her 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imaGoodBoyNow Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 2 minutes ago, I AM IRONMAN said: Remember who you are dealing with.... 🙊🙉🙈 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSFBfan Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 1 minute ago, imaGoodBoyNow said: Victim ? Didn’t he put a gun to a pregnant girl’s stomach and his friends robbed her Yep he did. He was a criminal 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBP66 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Just now, imaGoodBoyNow said: Yea..you and Ironmam are the REAL tough guys here huh??...LOL...you silly ass Trump clowns.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUFORDGAWOLVES Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 44 minutes ago, Nolebull813 said: John Lewis experienced racism, and discrimination. He can speak about it where it has meaning. Punks today talking about it, not so much. To cry about it now is to disrespect the past and the pain the men and women of that time had to endure. And if you are cracker white talking about black lives matter please sit the fuck down. Your virtue signaling falls on deaf ears Thanks for your input Nole. It screams butthurt and bigotry. bgw 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUFORDGAWOLVES Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 24 minutes ago, Nolebull813 said: Those crackers are anarchists and domestic terrorists. They aren’t marching for a noble cause. Don’t get it conflated. The marches from 60 years ago are NOTHING like the garbage today. You just hate this country so you cheer the terrorism on PS. There is no way you went to Bosco. You may have trespassed on their campus, but no way you were enrolled Basically the needle has moved from water hoses, cracked skulls, and police dogs on a bridge in Selma, Alabama years ago and you're uncomfortable with it, because the issues are still here? Is that what you mean? bgw 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUFORDGAWOLVES Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 How many of you opposing to the protests of today read the article from end to end? Give your respect, then take the hate and vitriol to the "Trump" thread, thanks. bgw 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngdawg Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Rest in peace, John Lewis. May your dreams for equality come true! Also, I guarantee this will end up as an essay to analyze for the AP Language Arts exam in the future. Filled with imagery and personification, it was a great read! Sad that people could just easily discredit this. @Nolebull813 Just because we didn't live through the rough times that were the 1960s for African-Americans doesn't mean we can't take action on it. In a world of growing acceptance, those who resist will be viewed as antagonists, even if they have the best interests in mind. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngdawg Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 If you aren't on this thread to say something constructive about either John Lewis or his efforts, please relocate to another thread and freely voice your opinions there. No need to disrespect Lewis's last words by introducing clouded judgement. As @BUFORDGAWOLVES summarized, pay your respects and then leave (if you don't have anything useful to say). I'm not saying this to avoid discussion or conflict: I'm saying this out of respect and sheer decency. 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I AM IRONMAN Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 22 minutes ago, DBP66 said: Yea..you and Ironmam are the REAL tough guys here huh??...LOL...you silly ass Trump clowns.... Sure...whatever you say Karen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolebull813 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 15 minutes ago, BUFORDGAWOLVES said: Basically the needle has moved from water hoses, cracked skulls, and police dogs on a bridge in Selma, Alabama years ago and you're uncomfortable with it, because the issues are still here? Is that what you mean? bgw There’s no issues still here!!! You should be spanked over a knee for talking dumb bullshit. Quit trying to make black people sound like helpless victims that need saving. Its racist and condescending 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolebull813 Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Imagine being criticized for saying black people aren’t poor, ignorant and need saving like liberals say they are. As a youth when I got in trouble my black lawyer helped me out with getting a deal with my black judge. My black probation officer made sure I filled out applications and my black boss hired me. My black girlfriend was proud of my turnaround. I met her at school where I had a black teacher. Point is there is nothing holding black people back like you racist leftists want them to believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
World Citizen Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 54 minutes ago, Nolebull813 said: There’s no issues still here!!! You should be spanked over a knee for talking dumb bullshit. Quit trying to make black people sound like helpless victims that need saving. Its racist and condescending You are stubborn and dense. It's not black people that need saving. It's never been about that. It's about saving racist people like yourself from destroying yourself and keeping this country from the being what we all say we want it to be. It's always been about that. That's where the error was introduced into the equation. Chew on that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockinl Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 John Lewis was a good man who walked the walk, and who experienced REAL racism and didnt back down. He should be honored for his never ending fight for justice for all. Having said that, I cannot and will not ever endorse anything attached to the race baiting con artists known as BLM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngdawg Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 3 minutes ago, rockinl said: John Lewis was a good man who walked the walk, and who experienced REAL racism and didnt back down. He should be honored for his never ending fight for justice for all. Having said that, I cannot and will not ever endorse anything attached to the race baiting con artists known as BLM. Respect! Even though we don't agree on the second part of your comment, I appreciate that you actually took the time to thank him for his contributions. Whether you like him or not, it's just a show of respect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockinl Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Nolebull813 said: Point is there is nothing holding black people back like you racist leftists want them to believe. In 2020 America, the only person holding you back, is you. For the most part, black Africans that come here from 3rd world countries do very well. They work hard and achieve. They dont wait for another culture to help them do it. They understand responsibility and self help. They arent taught from birth that they are victims. Where's the disconnect between them and people born here? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUFORDGAWOLVES Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 1 hour ago, Nolebull813 said: There’s no issues still here!!! You should be spanked over a knee for talking dumb bullshit. Quit trying to make black people sound like helpless victims that need saving. Its racist and condescending Calm down Nole, show some respect for the decedent. bgw 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUFORDGAWOLVES Posted July 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 Please, for all things holy... give respect to John Lewis, speak only on a beautiful essay. Take the “other” issues to another thread and I’ll be more than happy to join in. In retrospect I shouldn’t have tipped it off with Nole. My apologies. bgw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSFBfan Posted July 30, 2020 Report Share Posted July 30, 2020 5 minutes ago, GardenStateBaller said: Wow. No respect at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.