John Lewis Reunites With Former Racist Who Attacked Him In 1961 (VIDEO)

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and the white man who attacked him during a civil rights protest in 1961 came together to accept an award Thursday night.

Lewis and Elwin Wilson received the Common Ground award Thursday at the Canadian Embassy in Washington. The award honors outstanding accomplishments in conflict resolution, negotiation, community building, and peacebuilding.

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Wilson was part of a mob that attacked Lewis and another Freedom Rider for entering the "Whites Only" waiting area of a bus station in Rock Hill, South Carolina in May 1961. He said he had wanted to apologize for years and was moved to do so by comments he read from black civil rights leaders about President Obama's inauguration.

The former segregationist contacted local civil rights activists and realized that Lewis was the young man he had beaten. Wilson went to Lewis's Capitol Hill office to apologize in January.

Both said at the time that they hoped their story would help others who took part in violence at the time to make amends.

"I said if just one person comes forward and gets the hate out of their heart, it's all worth it," Wilson told the AP. "But I hope there will be a bunch of people. Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die."

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Comments

[medic628]

We all are on the same planet. This kind of things needs to happen all over the world, not just here. It is not just black and white issue.

[maxfax]

"...Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die."

Don't be so sure.

[dimplesmile7]

Exactly! I don't believe I'm going to the same place as Hitler or Stalin.

[maxfax]

Or Dick Cheney or George W. Bush.

[Flavor]

Now this is a great moment, this man clearly had remorse for what he had done years ago to Congressman Lewis. I am glad that Congressman lewis forgave him and showed him love, you don't find too many people today that will come and apologize and ask for forgiveness for something wrong they have done. This is a special moment, and I am glad that Mr. Wilson was given the common ground award as well as Congressman Lewis, this shows that you can change for the better. Great Post.

[msdarrla]

very nice story...I'm glad that both men were able to put aside differences from the past. I'm sure it was hard for both of them, but hopefully a special moment for each.

[MiddlePassage]

Nice sentiment. But I hope it is clear that one person viciously wronged another and the other forgave. These were unequal partners in the conflict.

[pakaal]

One person viciously wronged another--then publicly acknowledged his mistake and guilt, voluntarily, seemingly with no advantage to himself--and the other forgave. THAT was the heart of the post-apartheid courts in South Africa. Now that the US has elected Obama president, maybe it's time we had some sort of mental amnesty drive for bigoted thoughts.

[minusjason]

...and both men were able to put aside differences from the past, and it was likely both difficult and special for both of them.

[Pema]

middle
but they were equal partenrs in the healing and that is the important part.

[THE JEDI 69]

Takes a man to say he's sorry.....

[HerbTee]

I suppose it's better late than never to ask for forgiveness. We should all try to make peace with ourselves and our Maker before the end. I still have some personal derision towards Wilson for the acts that he and others like him committed. Perhaps it's because I grew up during those times and witnessed some of the ha tred for myself . But then again, I am not John Lewis...who obviously is more of a forgiving and perhaps a much better man than I would be under those circumstances.

[T Pol]

I understand your reluctance. I don't know if Wilson was punished at all. But for him to have changed over the years, become truly remorseful, actively sought out the person he wronged and ask forgiveness is one hell of POWERFUL message. I am glad John Lewis accepted it.

An empty show to escape punishment would be unacceptable. I think John Lewis recognized that is not what this was.

We MUST find ways to heal these wrongs. Wilson took that big step...Lewis took that big step! There is so much anger over the past, rightfully so, but we MUST stop it being passed on to new generations, both black and white. Too many conflicts continue with generations who were never personally involved in acts of 40 to 400 to 4000 years ago.

The message needs to be that we do better to avenge the past by making peace than by making war.

[grandma58]

I like reading about men who set examples displaying integrity.

[vesaversa1]

It take a strong god fearing person to forgive this man for what he done , i am please that man is one of hero .

[jessicadevyn]

Lewis is a great and extraordinary individual. That being said, I personally don't know if certain crimes are forgivable. I am still trying to figure that out.

[TheFabOne]

Wilson said '.....Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die."

Ooooooh, no we don't. I find it hard to believe that people who bombed churches in the 60s, one bomb which killed 4 little Black girls, will end up in the same place as people who tried to live life with love and understanding.

[Pem3]

Oh everyone goes to the same place where you are sorted after that is each ones own burden.

[timewaster2dcore]

If I may ask, why is it that the Canadians appreciate this kind of gesture between these two men and giving them an award while Americans don't seem to care? Americans don't seem to appreciate racial reconciliation and peace building. Racial hatred is built in the United States' foundation and anything about reconciliation threatens the foundation of the country. What a shame?!!!!

[K M D]

I think so many people in the USA are in such denial that they are even racist to begin with (or mysoginistic, or homophobic, or, or, or....name it, there's a few topics that apply!) that to openly embrace and confront the idea that any of these things exist in their country and are a PROBLEM, would preclude being willing to look at one's own beliefs and behaviours first, and be willing to change them.

If people are not willing to look at themselves, they certainly will never have a clear view of the world around them, or anyone else..

...unfortunately.

Personally I applaud them both - the victim for being willing to meet his attacker, and the attacker for facing up to the wrongdoing of his past.

Reconciliation and forgiveness are not a sign of weakness - but of strength.

Far, far too many people have lost sight of that.

[jwadvocate83]

Probably because there's a major media market for unapologetic bigots and xenophobes in the U.S. There's no money to be made in fostering reconciliation and brotherhood, as opposed to taking advantage of latent hatred and prejudice.

Last time I checked, Rush Limbaugh was making millions.

[kayareem]

The award was given by the NGO Search for Common Ground, which is headquartered in the USA.

http://www.sfcg.org/sfcg/sfcg_cgawards.html

[timewaster2dcore]

But it is a Canadian sponsored NGO, isn't it?

[mom792]

A true american, loving hero. Peace. Be. Love.

[Healthwatch2010]

""I said if just one person comes forward and gets the hate out of their heart, it's all worth it," Wilson told the AP. "But I hope there will be a bunch of people. Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die." -- Elwin Wilson

I like this story too. May God Bless both Rep. John Lewis and Mr. Elwin Wilson for this "teachable moment".

[tyger]

No freaking way I would have met with this man. So now you forgive him for a most horrendous beating.

[StarDagger]

I am happy that you were not there, that is why he is John Lewis.

It is our duty to forgive, when true forgiveness is sought. I am sure that John Lewis knows that this man is sincere, and it closes a page of American history that was terror and evil.
It is good for the perpetrator to ask for forgiveness and even more good for the wronged party to forgive him now.

Another part of this story that impressed me was the Effect of Obama. Few people realize what a healing force Obama has been in so many ways, he is a Healer and a Wise man.

Yours in Obama,
Star*Dagger

[Cambridge9]

We cannot go through life living with h@te. If we did we would still be at war with Germany and Japan. I think both these men deserve applause. One for asking forgiveness and the other for accepting. Now, neither one has to worry that someday their paths might cross and create more violence - because violence has never solved any problems.

I have always admired Rep. John Lewis. He never allowed the bitterness of the past to prevent his from working for his constituents (black, brown and white) and all the citizens of this country - including Mr. Wilson.

[MSaxe]

Although Wilson's personal apology to Lewis is heartening, it would be far better to see massive numbers of old racists publicly repentant.

It's time for those of you that laid the groundwork for today's hatreds to get off your butts and speak out to the young that are caught treading your footsteps. There are plenty of you out there. How about making a difference instead of instilling fear of other races, religions and cultures?

Time is short. Your time is growing short. How do you want to be remembered? If George Wallace could step up, what's stopping YOU?