Congressman wins VU award
Angela Barbuti, Villanovan Staff Reporter

[Reprinted with permission from the Villanovan]

Congressman John Lewis was honored with the 2001 Adela Dwyer/ St. Thomas of Villanova Peace Award on Friday, Nov 9th. Many University students, faculty and guests filled the Bartley Hall Amphitheater to hear the inspirational words of this civil rights leader.

Senior political science major Teresa Mambu presented Lewis with the award after discussing her deep respect for him. She said, "Congressman Lewis personally inspired me through his heroic and selfless deeds, words and writings ...and [through] his current political leadership role in the U.S. House of Representa­tives." Mambu concluded, "It is my utmost privilege and honor to present Congressman John Lewis with the 2001 Adela Dwyer/St Thomas of Villanova Peace Award.”

Congressman Lewis approached the podium, receiving a standing ovation. This award, he said, would provide him with a "greater degree of inspiration, to " build his concept of a "beloved community." Lewis' idea of a beloved community is one at peace with itself. Born to sharecroppers in 1940, Lewis spoke of his journey towards nonviolence by recounting 3 vivid tales of his encounters with racism as a youth in Alabama. His local library, for instance, would not issue him a library card on account of his race. Ironically, in 1998, he revisited the library to host a book signing and was finally given a library card.

It was while Lewis was in tenth grade that he first learned of and became inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. When Lewis did not get accepted into Troy State College because it did not admit blacks, he wrote to Dr. King. In reply, King invited Lewis to Montgomery, Alabama.

Once in Montgomery, Lewis, along with other black students, participated in non‑violent sit-ins. Even when whites placed lit cigarettes down their backs and spit on them, the students did not retaliate. Through this experience, Lewis "grew to accept non violence." According to Lewis, in order to build a "beloved community," one must accept the idea that love is a better way.

Although his family warned him, "Don't get into trouble," Lewis realized that there is such a thing as "good, necessary trouble." He passionately told his captive audience, "Sometimes you have to get in the way"

 On March 7,1965, 600 blacks gathered in a church parking lot to march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Although this was a non‑violent march, Lewis still anticipated getting arrested, so he packed two books, an apple, orange, toothbrush and toothpaste. Alabama State troopers warned the marchers that they had three minutes to disperse. The Troopers then proceeded to beat them with nightsticks and released tear gas. In the midst of this terror, Lewis suffered a concussion. Visiting Lewis in the hospital, King assured him that "we will march." Two days later, protestors marched across the bridge.

Lewis closed his speech by telling the story of his aunt's shotgun house, which is the inspiration behind the title of his novel, "Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement" One day, when Lewis, his brothers, sisters and cousins were visiting his aunt, a terrible storm erupted and his aunt feared the house would blow away. She asked the group of youngsters to join hands and walk to the corners of the house to hold it down. Lewis compared his experience to the human experience. As citizens, people must never "leave the house," he said, for everybody "lives in it together." Although our forefathers came to this country in different ships, Americans are "all in the same boat now." His speech was meant to inspire his audience to "walk with the wind and let the spirit of peace, love and non‑violence be our guide."

After his presentation, the audience had the opportunity to purchase a copy of "Walking with the Wind," which Lewis autographed and personalized.

William Werpehowski, director of the Center for Peace and Justice Education, said, "Lewis took time to speak with folks during the book signing ...Everyone came away educated and inspired."

After the ceremony, Lewis said, "I felt so at home being on this campus:" He expressed his contentment at the fact that there is an area set aside in the University's curriculum for Peace and Justice. He was also deeply moved at seeing the Peace and Justice Center, decorated with many symbols of peace. "You don't see this on many campuses," he said.