How Do We Overcome Today?

Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallah prepares the program

They came - the full-figured homeless woman who distributes her newspaper; the openly-gay young Howard student; the Latino transgender; the striking young woman angered by Rick Santorum's anti-black, anti-poor rhetoric; the activist from Cameroon - to hear 2 living legends of the Civil Rights era talk about the 1960s struggle for justice. (See post below).

But an overflow crowd that packed Busboys and Poets tonight also came to see if former SNCC (Student Nonviolence Coordinating Committee) protesters John Lewis and Julian Bond and discussion moderator and DC Congressional representative Eleanor Holmes Norton could offer them words of wisdom and guidance for the battles they believe should, and must, be fought today.

Lewis agreed there is still much work to be done if we want to, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, "redeem the soul of America."

"It's too quiet," he said. "We're not there yet. People are hurting. People are still suffering."

All 3 panelists pointed out that while injustice remains, today's times are simply not the same as those of the 20th Century and earlier.

"The issues today are different. We would fail if we were to ask you to do the same things we did.  Don't feel sorry you didn't get your head beat (in the 60s) like John Lewis did. Understand what you can do to make a revolution today," Norton said.

As an example, she cited the case of 22-year-old DC resident Molly Katchpole, who, while working 2 jobs and living paycheck-to-paycheck, took on the powerful Bank of America and got that financial institution to rescind its decision to add an additional $5 banking fee.  "Your inspirational leaders are here today. Trust me, that young woman will go down in the history books. She used Facebook. We had a mimeograph machine. You have the internet, your cell phones, your iPads," she said.

Lewis cautioned anyone interested in change to make sure they stayed on the proper, high moral road. "We used our bodies as a nonviolent weapon. We were beaten back, but we always came back. We walked with dignity and pride.  We didn't walk with our pants down around our butts," he said

Bond said it is paramount to remember that when it comes to justice, all Americans should be in the battle together. He said he was particularly disturbed with studies indicating that black Americans are the most homophobic Americans. "It's shameful. It's disgusting," he said, noting that blacks should be leading the way for all people in the fight for rights.

Bond also cautioned anyone interested in change not to discard older institutions such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) which was founded in 1909. "There is a reason why it is always the last man standing," Bond said, noting that the organization has survived attacks from lynchings to a southern federal judge calling it "Niggers, Apes, Alligators, Possums, and Coons" from the bench of the US court. "It still is the organization of change for most people," Bond said. "When people face discrimination, they don't call Michael Jackson. They don't even call Michael Jordan. They call the NAACP," Bond said.

Lewis said that while the struggle for equality and justice can be painful, and, at times, painfully slow, change can come. Sometimes it is on a national level. But sometimes it is more personal. Lewis told of a visit he had from an older white Southerner. "Mr. Lewis," the man said. "I was one of the ones that beat you. I was wrong. I am sorry. He cried. I cried. We hugged," Lewis said.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips
There's no doubt that tonight's session was one of the most moving and most informative events Judy and I have attended since we moved to DC. Although probably none of the participants  will ever read this post, I want to thank John Lewis, Julian Bond, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, for all they have done and continue to do to make America better. I also want to thank all the young people who attended last night, fully intending to continue the battle so that my grandchildren can have an even better America. It is also fitting to thank owner operator Andy Shallah and all the staff of Busboys and Poets who work so diligently to offer a regular venue for such powerful social programs. So, to all of you, a big heartfelt thanks.