On Sunday there was a deeply moving and inspirational scene on the infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, AL. The flag draped casket of John Lewis was carried across the bridge on a horse drawn carriage. This was the same place where he and other peaceful civil rights protestors were savagely beaten by Alabama state troopers and local law enforcement personnel on March 7, 1965 during the Selma campaign for voting rights. This time as the body of John Lewis crossed the bridge, the path was strewn with red rose pedals to symbolize the blood spilled there in 1965. The two photos posted above capture the contrast of those two times at the bridge separated by 55 years. Within these poignant images, I am especially struck by the difference in the demeanor and action of the state troopers. The image from Sunday shows state troopers saluting John Lewis with dignity and respect. The image from 1965 shows John Lewis on the ground about to be struck by a state trooper with a club. He received a concussion and later shared that he thought he was going to die that day. The contrast in these images is a testimony to the power of faith based, non-violent, direct action to confront the injustice of systemic racism. These images also bear witness to the progress we have made in our nation because of the commitment of John Lewis and thousands of others during the civil rights movement.
Yet these images also raise the question, “What is the Next Bridge to Cross?” The struggle against the injustice of systemic racism is not over. In fact, the current situation of racial unrest throughout the country and the administration’s oppressive response can make us wonder if we have lost the progress made by those witnesses from that earlier era. Scenes like the one posted below from Washington, DC are being repeated in many cities as protestors are confronted by law enforcement.
It is during times like these that the following words of John Lewis are a source of strength and hope to persevere as we cross the next bridge on the journey toward liberty and justice for all:
