Congressman John Lewis: A champion for civil rights and environmental justice
Mustafa Santiago Ali, opinion contributor
I remember the first time I met Congressman John Lewis like it was yesterday. He extended his hand and asked the simple question, "Who are you?" I responded with my name and he said, "No, young man, who ARE you?"
Fortunately, I figured out he wasn't asking my name; he wanted to know who and what I stand for, and who and what I fight for. After all, according to Rep. Lewis (D-Ga.), the answers to those questions truly define who you are. This first interaction left an indelible mark that I carry with me to this day, and drives my advocacy for social and environmental justice.
A good friend once described John Lewis as one of the best humans to ever walk the planet. I would have to agree. I was blessed to share space with him and be mentored and guided by him - and I watched in awe his unapologetic love for mankind and unwavering fight for justice.
He said so many things over the years that touched me deeply, but two John Lewis quotes continue to inspire me in everything I stand and fight for. The first, from his 2018 commencement speech at Harvard, he said, "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/congressman-john-lewis-a-champion-for-civil-rights-and-environmental-justice/ar-BB178VPU?li=BBnb7Kz
