Comments on: Rare Repentance: John Lewis Receives Apology from Attacker http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/ A Blog by Jim Wallis and Friends Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:15:02 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Unka Vinny http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-110490 Unka Vinny Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:32:53 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-110490 I awoke early from a disheartening dream. Not to be subdued by Satans whispers, I came to find a local Christian school or university in the Cincy area. Finding UCC, and Troy's leading. Rather, the Lord guided me here. My mind rolled over the last 35 years; of which 27 were in the military. In the mid 70's, even at sea there were much racial tensions. It was through these times that this south dakota boy saw the world. I learned early on. God created man, man created racism. My best memories, and fondest times were running about, and growing with diverse groups. A few of us grew into all of us. My favorite and most admired people in my life are Albert Einstein, and Dr. Martin Luther King. As I've aged, my beliefs have hardened, as the truth has been evident of apathy prevalence in today young. I continue to pray for guidance and direction from the Father. And forgiveness of my humanness, and ignorance. Thank You Troy, for being Gods messenger. I awoke early from a disheartening dream. Not to be subdued by Satans whispers, I came to find a local Christian school or university in the Cincy area. Finding UCC, and Troy's leading. Rather, the Lord guided me here. My mind rolled over the last 35 years; of which 27 were in the military. In the mid 70's, even at sea there were much racial tensions. It was through these times that this south dakota boy saw the world. I learned early on. God created man, man created racism. My best memories, and fondest times were running about, and growing with diverse groups. A few of us grew into all of us. My favorite and most admired people in my life are Albert Einstein, and Dr. Martin Luther King. As I've aged, my beliefs have hardened, as the truth has been evident of apathy prevalence in today young. I continue to pray for guidance and direction from the Father. And forgiveness of my humanness, and ignorance. Thank You Troy, for being Gods messenger.

]]> By: Unka Vinny http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-99962 Unka Vinny Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:32:53 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-99962 I awoke early from a disheartening dream. Not to be subdued by Satans whispers, I came to find a local Christian school or university in the Cincy area. Finding UCC, and Troy's leading. Rather, the Lord guided me here. My mind rolled over the last 35 years; of which 27 were in the military. In the mid 70's, even at sea there were much racial tensions. It was through these times that this south dakota boy saw the world. I learned early on. God created man, man created racism. My best memories, and fondest times were running about, and growing with diverse groups. A few of us grew into all of us. My favorite and most admired people in my life are Albert Einstein, and Dr. Martin Luther King. As I've aged, my beliefs have hardened, as the truth has been evident of apathy prevalence in today young. I continue to pray for guidance and direction from the Father. And forgiveness of my humanness, and ignorance. Thank You Troy, for being Gods messenger. I awoke early from a disheartening dream. Not to be subdued by Satans whispers, I came to find a local Christian school or university in the Cincy area. Finding UCC, and Troy's leading. Rather, the Lord guided me here. My mind rolled over the last 35 years; of which 27 were in the military. In the mid 70's, even at sea there were much racial tensions. It was through these times that this south dakota boy saw the world. I learned early on. God created man, man created racism. My best memories, and fondest times were running about, and growing with diverse groups. A few of us grew into all of us. My favorite and most admired people in my life are Albert Einstein, and Dr. Martin Luther King. As I've aged, my beliefs have hardened, as the truth has been evident of apathy prevalence in today young. I continue to pray for guidance and direction from the Father. And forgiveness of my humanness, and ignorance. Thank You Troy, for being Gods messenger.

]]> By: sammcgregor http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-84262 sammcgregor Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:08:35 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-84262 Thank you for this story. Correction though. The city is Rock Hill, SC. Thank you for this story. Correction though. The city is Rock Hill, SC.

]]> By: littleroundtop http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-84196 littleroundtop Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:06:32 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-84196 Thanks for your essay Troy Thanks for your essay Troy

]]> By: Eric77 http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-84180 Eric77 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:54:39 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-84180 That's a beautiful story of forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for passing it along Troy.<br><br>And those are good points you make as well, letjustice. There's something in all our hearts that we need to atone for, even if it's the self-righteousness of saying "I'm so glad I'm not like them." We are like them in many ways. That's a beautiful story of forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for passing it along Troy.

And those are good points you make as well, letjustice. There's something in all our hearts that we need to atone for, even if it's the self-righteousness of saying “I'm so glad I'm not like them.” We are like them in many ways.

]]> By: BlueDeacon http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-84177 BlueDeacon Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:49:16 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-84177 For me, nothing beats the time on Oprah when the Little Rock Nine were on the show with members of the white mob which tried to keep them out of Central High School. One man stood up and confessed, "We were ignorant," and a woman tearfully said that she would teach her children/grandchildren to act differently. For me, nothing beats the time on Oprah when the Little Rock Nine were on the show with members of the white mob which tried to keep them out of Central High School. One man stood up and confessed, “We were ignorant,” and a woman tearfully said that she would teach her children/grandchildren to act differently.

]]> By: letjusticerolldown http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-84175 letjusticerolldown Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:07:08 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-84175 It was very touching to see the apology and forgiveness.<br><br>Claudelle Colvin was in Montgomery last week. At age 15 she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. She mostly has remained silent about her story. She was one of many who refused before Rosa Parks.<br><br>The acts of righteousness and acts of evil cannot be counted. What strikes me is that they were mostly "so ordinary." Even pictures of lynchings strike me as "so ordinary." Persons in the mobs looking like they had gathered because a garage had burned down. <br><br>I believe I recall a piece of film in Selma with a very young John Lewis being confronted on a sidewalk by a young white man. And after a back and forth conversation, John Lewis asks, "Well would you pray with me?" And the white man responds, "I don't need to pray with you."<br><br>Oh so ordinary. Similar indignities go on in school hallways, Congress, and family living rooms everyday. And yet it was so unbelievably arrogant, appalling and rebellious against God.<br><br>Since first moving from Minnesota to Alabama 12 years ago--I have been mystified how a community lives with so many unrepented and unforgiven acts. Is the worst case simply that we wait fifty years for the memories to go to the grave? Or do they live on? I have been struck by my 'liberal North's' attitude of self-righteousness or self-understanding of having a very benign racism (if any). That we, if anything, were just very ordinary in our crimes. And that the Union cause was all one of righteous action--including my great-grandfather's march with Sherman to the sea.<br><br>The blood in the soil is all so very ordinary!<br><br>Last week a man was convicted (not sure we got the right one) for killing a three year girl near my home. She was caught in the crossfire between four men. There were many witnesses. The police know who the other three men were. They have not been found. The witnesses are not talking. The ordinary blood of a 3-year old stains the street.<br><br>Over the weekend a man killed his partner and her mother in front of three children and then took his life. Ordinary blood.<br><br>I pray with all earnestness that God's Spirit lives in me and through me--choosing to live a way of forgiveness and peace and turn from the ordinary atrociousness of my rebellion against God. It was very touching to see the apology and forgiveness.

Claudelle Colvin was in Montgomery last week. At age 15 she refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. She mostly has remained silent about her story. She was one of many who refused before Rosa Parks.

The acts of righteousness and acts of evil cannot be counted. What strikes me is that they were mostly “so ordinary.” Even pictures of lynchings strike me as “so ordinary.” Persons in the mobs looking like they had gathered because a garage had burned down.

I believe I recall a piece of film in Selma with a very young John Lewis being confronted on a sidewalk by a young white man. And after a back and forth conversation, John Lewis asks, “Well would you pray with me?” And the white man responds, “I don't need to pray with you.”

Oh so ordinary. Similar indignities go on in school hallways, Congress, and family living rooms everyday. And yet it was so unbelievably arrogant, appalling and rebellious against God.

Since first moving from Minnesota to Alabama 12 years ago–I have been mystified how a community lives with so many unrepented and unforgiven acts. Is the worst case simply that we wait fifty years for the memories to go to the grave? Or do they live on? I have been struck by my 'liberal North's' attitude of self-righteousness or self-understanding of having a very benign racism (if any). That we, if anything, were just very ordinary in our crimes. And that the Union cause was all one of righteous action–including my great-grandfather's march with Sherman to the sea.

The blood in the soil is all so very ordinary!

Last week a man was convicted (not sure we got the right one) for killing a three year girl near my home. She was caught in the crossfire between four men. There were many witnesses. The police know who the other three men were. They have not been found. The witnesses are not talking. The ordinary blood of a 3-year old stains the street.

Over the weekend a man killed his partner and her mother in front of three children and then took his life. Ordinary blood.

I pray with all earnestness that God's Spirit lives in me and through me–choosing to live a way of forgiveness and peace and turn from the ordinary atrociousness of my rebellion against God.

]]> By: oalston http://blog.sojo.net/2009/02/17/john-lewis-receives-apology-from-attacker/comment-page-1/#comment-84170 oalston Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:40:36 +0000 http://blog.sojo.net/?p=6336#comment-84170 This story is a beautiful example of God's Grace as well as the importance of admitting when you are wrong. Grace can only be shown to those who admit they need it. Congrats on the book I think we met a few months ago and you told me about it! This story is a beautiful example of God's Grace as well as the importance of admitting when you are wrong. Grace can only be shown to those who admit they need it. Congrats on the book I think we met a few months ago and you told me about it!

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