Congressman John Lewis (D-GA5) announced over the holiday season that he is undergoing rigorous treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer (the final, life-claiming stage of a disease which disproportionately affects Black men).
Though the news is almost too painful to comprehend, it’s clear what our next move must be.
Congressman Lewis has fought against racism and bigotry all of his life; from withstanding police beatings on Bloody Sunday and death threats, to being arrested 40 times throughout his three-decade-long political career stemming from acts of civil disobedience.
Out of respect and gratitude for his sacrifices in the name of protecting the Voting Rights Act, expanding affordable healthcare access, and so much more, our responsibility to this great man is this:
Honor his legacy by remaining hopeful and courageous, and taking action!
Demand funding for equitable research around the illnesses (e.g. pancreatic cancer) that hit our communities the hardest...
And when fighting for justice, equality, and our very right to live, remember this quote that epitomizes his resolve to keep fighting:
“Out of some of the darkest hours, there will be daybreak. There will be light. And we will get there. You have to believe it. You have to believe in your guts that it’s going to be O.K.” Thank you, Congressman Lewis, for your profound legacy of public servitude.