To Honor Rep. Lewis, We Must Continue to Build

Representative John Lewis made great use of his time on earth and focused the majority of his efforts on fighting for equality. Over his 80 years... 

• He marched. 
• He fought.
• He worked. 
• He bled. 
• He prayed. 
• He danced.
• He inspired. 

Rep. Lewis leaves behind a legacy that will continue to encourage others walking the path of righteousness and seeking true justice for all. 

Not only did he fight for civil rights, but he also understood that it was vitally important to celebrate Black culture in ways that were not solely tied to the history of our oppression. Did you know the Congressman was an integral part of seeing the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History come to fruition? Visiting the museum was a life-changing experience for my family and me. 

As the only museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture, the National Museum of African American History has collected more than 36,000 artifacts to date and has nearly 100,000 individuals members. While the museum is closed due to COVID-19, you can still visit virtually and enjoy all it has to offer. 

It took Rep. Lews 15 years to pass a bill establishing the museum. In fact, it was one of the first pieces of legislation he introduced to Congress in 1988 after being elected to the House of Representatives in 1987. Throughout the years of debate and disappointment, he never gave up and gave in. He too had a dream, and it included seeing this museum come to life. He said, “It is my hope that each and every person who visits this beautiful museum will walk away deeply inspired – filled with a greater respect for the dignity and the worth of every human being and a stronger commitment to the ideals of justice, equality, and true democracy.” The National Museum of African American History opened in September 2016, almost 30 years after the bill for its creation was introduced.

To honor Congressman Lewis, we must learn from the example of his leadership. Never give up. Never give in. Never lose heart. As he marched over that bridge in Selma, he started building a bridge for all of us. Let us continue to build!