Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), sat down with Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes at the THEARC Theatre for a conversation about his childhood, his experiences in the Civil Rights movement and his hopes for future generations during “A Conversation with Civil Rights Icon” John Lewis. Hundreds attended the event at the THEARC in Southeast on Thursday, April 19. /Photos by Khalid Naji-Allah and Shevry Lassiter
“In 1955, I heard King. The voice was powerful, the delivery of his message LEWIS continued from Page 23 rienced. “I thought it was incredible for me as a woman of African descent to see the relationship with the movement to Africa as we sought to get away from colonialism,” said Kiganda, president and creative problem solver with Vibrant Design Group and a Ugandan native. “I didn’t have any expectations; I just wanted to hear what he had to say.” “I wish more young people were here to hear this. We need more dialogue. The National Urban League is where I learned about the Civil Rights movement. It was a movement of young people. He was only 23 when he gave his speech [at
so great. He said he was more concerned about Montgomery, not Heaven, the here and now.”
the March on Washington]. We have no excuse.” From Alabama Farm Boy to the Hallowed Halls of Congress Lewis grew up under humble circumstances in Troy, Ala. The
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third of 10 children, Lewis’ parents were sharecroppers. “I grew up in a wonderful family, a wonderful family with six brothers and three sisters,” he said. His father bought a 110-acre plot of land for $300 which The Washington Informer
Lewis and his siblings toiled on from dawn ’til dusk. But the young Lewis wanted more and he said he hid under the house porch and them sprang out and sprinted for the school bus each morning. “I really wanted an education. I wanted more,” was Lewis’ simple explanation. He said his grandfather lived about a mile away and would give his grandchildren newspapers to read. He excelled academically despite being transported to classes in a run-down school bus, using hand-medown books at a system that only thought blacks capable of performing manual and menial tasks. Lewis credits one of his elementary school teachers with encouraging him to read. The family also listened to the ra-
dio, which is where he first heard King. “In 1955 I heard King,” he recalled. “The voice was powerful, the delivery of his message so great. He said he was more concerned about Montgomery, not Heaven, the here and now.” Lewis studied at the American Baptist Theological Seminary and at Fisk University, both in Nashville. He was deeply influenced by Jim Wilson, who instilled in Lewis, Diane Nash and other students the deepest tenets of non-violence. Lewis first ran for elected office in 1977. He won a seat on the Atlanta City Council in 1981. He defeated longtime civil rights activist Julian Bond in a run-off election See LEWIS on Page 25
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