John Lewis knew civil rights did not end with voting rights or Barack Obama | Peniel E Joseph

The Georgia congressman’s life was more complex than tributes might make out. His embrace of Black Lives Matter shows he knew racist oppression never came close to endingThe death of John Lewis, the Alabama-born civil rights activist, Freedom Rider and student leader turned Georgia congressman, represents a generational transition in America’s long struggle for Black freedom, dignity and citizenship. A disciple of Dr Martin Luther King Jr who experienced brutal and repeated acts of violence by racist white law enforcement and vigilantes that left him with permanent physical scars, including a cracked skull, Lewis remained stubbornly resolute in his insistence that Black life mattered. Related: John Lewis: Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey lead tributes to civil rights hero Continue reading... https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jul/19/john-lewis-civil-rights-barack-obama #civil_rights_movement #us_news #us_voting_rights #us_politics #democrats #protest #race #world_news #barack_obama #martin_luther_king