The Bloodiest Sunday
Bloody Sunday was a cruel incident that occurred on March 7, 1965 in Selma, Alabama. Six hundred orderly protesters were ready to march to Selma on a Sunday to support the Voting Rights Movement. They were led by John Lewis, SNCC, and SCLC activists. All six hundred of them crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge, but were blocked by Alabama State Troopers. The police commanded them to turn around, but the protesters refused. The police say ‘they had no choice’ other than to start shooting teargas into the crowd, and beating the non-violent protesters. Sadly, they hospitalized over sixty people. To this day, Lewis still has a visible scar on his forehead from Bloody Sunday. This week, I watched as you made one final trip over that bridge, in your casket, with Alabama State Troopers saluting you, and people holding you in their hearts for all you did for them. You will always be remembered as a brave and compassionate leader who truly led by example.
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RIP, John Lewis, thank you for always getting in the way, and showing us how it’s done.
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“you must be bold, brave, and courageous and find a way… to get in the way.”
-john lewis
A beautiful testament to a great human being! These are the types of people our children should admire and emulate. A leader in every sense of the word!
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absolutely, brad.
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Über-beautiful, a wonderful testimonial to a courageous man I never knew about until now…. Thank you Beth.
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my pleasure, Kiki. he was honored at his funeral yesterday, by 3 former presidents, with Obama giving his eulogy. our current president chose not to attend.
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all the better….. it couldn’t have been better than having Obama giving an eulogy! 🙂 What an amazing man John Lewis was. I feel good even only have learned about him so recently; a true leader and a man living as per his convictions and beliefs.
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He left a legacy of courage and inspiration–and had the foresight to leave his final words to be published on the day of his funeral, too.
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yes, and that speaks volumes
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Merril, can you tell me more? Sorry to ask but you speak to an ignorant Swiss who would like to know those final words. Thank You.
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he had written an opinion piece to be published in the New York Times on the day of his death “Together You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation.” The paper honored this and ran his piece.
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Thank you – also found stuff on YT. Shall watch it later on. Merci!!!!
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Hi Kiki. He left an essay to be published by the NY Times on the day of his funeral.Can you access this? https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/opinion/john-lewis-civil-rights-america.html. And/or hear it read by Morgan Freeman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i2DSkAys-8
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❤️
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Thank you so much Merril, in the meantime I’ve both viewed and listened to Freeman’s reading of Lewis’ last words and Obama’s eulogy. Both deeply moving and making me wonder why so many listen to that man in a colour belonging to a winter fruit instead of these men…. but of course there is nothing I can do about it. It’s heart-warming to at least know that not everybody is under the spell of fake truths and fake news but KNOWS that the truth of everything lies somewhere else. I’m feeling very privileged to be able to learn these things from my safe place in Europe. It only makes us understand even better the situation of so many underprivileged citizens.
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yes, I’m glad you took the time to do this, and yes, there are many who do not follow the orange one
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You’re welcome!
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hi kiki – i lost your comment and somehow sent you to spam today. I loved the sound of that book you suggested. try to resend if you can, and I’ll add you back in. miss you and your comments already )
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even in Australia , Beth, we’re aware of John Lewis and honour him; and , yes, we must all get in the way when the occasion demands it 🙂
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I’m so glad to hear that
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Now we all must step up, Beth.
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Absolutely
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Thanks for reminding me of the incident and Lewis’ role. It’s important that we never forget, so this is something we all need to be doing. Reminding others of what’s gone before.
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So important
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Sorry. I didn’t realize what the three bars were for: I’m putting in my contact info below for the quote above.
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No worries
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A truly amazing person. Hugs on the wing!
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Yes!❤️
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A remarkable man whose legacy will live on, as it must.
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Absolutely
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Pingback: get in the way. — I didn’t have my glasses on…. | Rethinking Life
such an amazing person ❤
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Extraordinary
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A true hero! (•́⌄•́๑)૭✧
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He so is
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Wonderfully said, Beth.
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❤️
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This was such a kind way to honor such a great leader. Good quote at the end. Have you seen the new documentary?
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I absolutely will be this weekend
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Such a great man!
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He was and will never be forgotten
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I now watched and listened to Obama’s eulogy and John Lewis last words – the mind boggles – so much content, so much to live by….. I hope that there IS enough hope and faith and perseverance to have a better world coming as of Nov. 2020.
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I’m so happy you took the time to do so. And I am hopeful-
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Beautiful tribute, Beth.
I am going to go read his words now.
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I’m sure you will be moved
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I’ve zero doubt.
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May his greatness inspire greatness in all of us.
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Yes –
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We can’t change the past but we can all do so much better to ensure it never repeats itself…
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yes, exactly John
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Thank you for reminding us all of this great man’s gift to humanity. He gave everything, over and over. I hope we can make him proud now.
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I do too
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I’m glad to see how much attention he is getting for his acts of courage.
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yes, i feel the same, pete –
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This is a beautiful tribute Beth. Thank you. RIP Mr. Lewis.
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❤
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beautiful tribute to a wonderful man; let’s hope his mission carries on…
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I hope so too, jim
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Thank you, Beth, for lifting us up to the high bar of John Lewis (RIP). One edit: “to march to Selma” is a slip. “to march from Selma to Montgomery” but it makes no difference. The sentiment is the same! We saw two dimensions of our humanity yesterday — a congregational celebration of the Superego in in Atlanta, and the power of the Id in Washington, D.C.
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absolutely and thank you –
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Beautiful tribute Beth 🤓☺️
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thank you
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