John Lewis - Civil Rights & a Small World

John Lewis died on the 17th July. I have to admit I had never heard of him, although he was a member of the House of Representatives for Georgia for 43 years. He was a leading Civil Rights campaigner in the 60's alongside Martin Luther King. 

The thing that makes him resonate with me is his powerful "house" analogy, which is as apposite  today as it was back in the 60's.

"We all live in the same house, we all must be part of the effort to hold down our little house. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, do something about it".

"We are one people with one family. We all live in the same house, and through books, through information, we must find a way to say to people that we must lay down the burden of hate. For hate is too heavy a burden to bear".

"We’re one people. We’re one family. We all live in the same house. Not just an American house but the world house". 

It is a thought that world leaders would do well to consider. Today our world is a small place. We have far better communications than we did in the 60's. The internet didn't exist. Social Media didn't exist. We weren't constantly in touch, carrying powerful computers around in our pockets. 

I believe in the Butterfly Effect - A butterfly beats its wings in a corner of the globe and that single action changes the weather halfway across the world. A small positive vibration can change the entire cosmos. But it can be a change for good or ill. We all need to make our wings of change for good felt.

We do all live in one house. We all have a responsibility to maintain that house & make newcomers welcome. We need to share what we have & treat all equally. We have to fight for what is right for everyone. We have to denounce the things that are wrong. 

The house is capable of providing all that we need - warmth, food, shelter companionship. But only if we really care for it. If we don't it will ultimately be overtaken by weeds & fall apart.

Is that is what is happening now?