John Lewis’ Principled Stand
by Mildred Robertson
Speaking truth to power…that is Congressman John Lewis’
legacy. This is not something that he just believes, it is something that he
has actively pursued even under the threat of death. Lewis faced the fury of
Southern racism on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965 while fighting for the right of all citizens to take part in this country’s political process. He nearly died as a
result. So this civil rights icon knows what it means to take a
moral stand that is neither popular nor safe. It comes as no surprise that
Lewis stands in opposition to what he calls the illegitimate presidency of
Donald Trump.
Irregularities in the 2016 Presidential election span discriminatory voting practices
across the country, FBI interference in the final days of the election, to a
majority vote for the defeated candidate. These irregularities have left this country in a quandary as
to what is the true will of the American people. It is difficult not to be
partisan in our assessment, but as more and more information is revealed I
believe it becomes clear to even an unbiased observer that irregularities in
the process have distorted the outcome of this election.
Lewis’ refusal to acknowledge Trump’s presidency is both
moral and brave. It is a bravery that many of us have not exhibited in our
perhaps misguided desire to show that American politics is the ideal. We are so very proud of our history of the peaceful
transition of power. And we should be. But an uncommon outcome may require an
uncommon response.
Many of us hold our tongues as embarrassed Trump supporters
give weak excuses about why they voted for him. They implore us to give him a
chance, or lament that Clinton was just so wicked that their conscience simply
would not allow them to vote for her. They say that they do not hate Muslims or
support racism, or sexism, or misogyny. They overlook his observable wickedness
and declare that they do not condone the things he did or said on the campaign
trail. Of course, he will do better when he is inaugurated, they predict. And
we hold our tongues, reluctant to call our co-workers or associates the titles
they deserve for catapulting this clearly corrupt man to the highest seat of
power in the world.
Thank God for a John Lewis who will say what the rest of
America seems to be too politically correct to say. While we huddle in groups,
wringing our hands and whispering about what to do next, John Lewis stood up
and cried, just as the child in the Hans Christian Anderson tale, “The emperor
has no clothes.” It is Lewis’ position that Donald Trump is not the choice of
the majority of Americans; his victory is ill-gotten and his presidency is
illegitimate.
I applaud Congressman Lewis on his principled stand.
History, I believe, will prove that Congressman Lewis stood on the right side
of this issue. The question remains, what will the rest of us do. Will we
support a presidency that threatens the very foundation of our nation or will
we support democracy.
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