Abstract
John Lewis was born in Troy, Alabama. He has served in Congress representing the Fifth Congressional District in Georgia since 1986. Lewis organized lunch counter protests, was the Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and participated in the Freedom Rides. This brief 2017 interview was collected as part of a yearlong, community-wide commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Carl Stokes' election as mayor of Cleveland.
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Interviewee
Lewis, John (interviewee)
Interviewer
Bibb, Leon (interviewer)
Project
Stokes: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
Date
2017
Document Type
Oral History
Duration
3 minutes
Recommended Citation
"John Lewis interview, 2017" (2017). Cleveland Regional Oral History Collection. Interview 501009.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/crohc000/1214
Transcript
Leon Bibb [00:00:04] Reflecting on the history of Northeast Ohio, what comes to mind when you think about the contributions of Louis Stokes and Carl Stokes?
John Lewis [00:00:11] Well, when I think of these two unbelievable brothers, the Stokes brothers, Carl, and we call him Lou, they injected something very meaningful not just into the life of this state but into our nation. They helped inspire an entire generation to stand up to speak up and to speak out. I don't know what we would have been like today if it hadn't been for the leadership and the commitment and dedication of these two men the Stokes brothers.
Leon Bibb [00:00:49] You work with Congressman Stokes? What do you remember about what made him a successful congressperson for all those years?
John Lewis [00:00:58] He was so successful because he was not one who became bitter never got any big argument with people. He was a diplomat. He was able to work both sides of the aisle to work with southerners and people from all parts of America for the coming good.
Leon Bibb [00:01:26] What is their legacy? You have two unique brothers, both who made unbelievable contributions to American politics. How will they be remembered in another hundred years?
John Lewis [00:01:37] Well, these two brothers must be remembered as champions, as people with a deep and abiding commitment to change and strong faith in the American possibilities.
Leon Bibb [00:01:55] And lastly their contributions to the state of Ohio particularly Cleveland and Northeast Ohio is unparalleled which is why we are here today. We are celebrating all their contributions. How have they transformed this region of the country?
John Lewis [00:02:10] Well, I think this region is a much better region. And there are people, especially women and minorities are getting involved in politics in this region because of the life that these two brothers live and what they left the changes they made the changes that they inspired others to make.
Leon Bibb [00:02:35] And for those younger folks who may want to aspire to a career in politics, what can they take from the careers of these two men in a much different political climate?
John Lewis [00:02:44] Well, I think young people and will be young politicians especially minorities but also whites could learn from the lives of these two men that they never became bitter never became hostile. They stood up they spoke up and they never gave up. They kept faith.
Leon Bibb [00:03:10] Well, thanks for coming in to help celebrate their legacy.
John Lewis [00:03:12] Well, thank you. Good to be here. Pleasure meeting you. Good to meet you.
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