by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Three former United Sates Presidents - Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton - are set to participate in funeral services for Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis later today at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the church that was once home to Martin Luther King, Jr., and his family. Noticeably absent from the group will be Donald Trump, the current president, who declined to participate in any of the events over the past few days that honored the life of Congressman Lewis.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who lives near Atlanta, will also not be in attendance. The 95-year-old who is in frail health reportedly does not attend many events. President Carter did give Congressman Lewis his first position within the federal government, and he has been a long-time open admirer of the civil rights leader.
Trump offered no excuse for failing to attend any of the events honoring Congressman Lewis. He did, however, take time out of his schedule yesterday to post the following tweet - which many interpreted as racist and a promotion of housing segregation:
The Trump administration is dumping fair housing rules that were enacted during the Obama administration and playing on what they perceive as the fears of the suburban communities that having people of color in their neighborhoods will bring down property values. And while fears such as those caused much dissension and violence in mid-twentieth century America, there is a growing body of evidence showing that the country has moved on - even if Donald Turmp has not.
So to recap, today three United States Presidents will be linking arms and acknowledging our better selves, and one will be focused on dragging us back into the cesspool of racial strife and division. Two Americas will be on display today, and in November we will know which one prevails.
Rest in peace, Congressman Lewis, and know that your "good trouble" lives on and will be a force for good far into the future.
Citizen Journalist
Three former United Sates Presidents - Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton - are set to participate in funeral services for Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis later today at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the church that was once home to Martin Luther King, Jr., and his family. Noticeably absent from the group will be Donald Trump, the current president, who declined to participate in any of the events over the past few days that honored the life of Congressman Lewis.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who lives near Atlanta, will also not be in attendance. The 95-year-old who is in frail health reportedly does not attend many events. President Carter did give Congressman Lewis his first position within the federal government, and he has been a long-time open admirer of the civil rights leader.
Trump offered no excuse for failing to attend any of the events honoring Congressman Lewis. He did, however, take time out of his schedule yesterday to post the following tweet - which many interpreted as racist and a promotion of housing segregation:
"I am happy to inform all of the people living their Suburban Lifestyle Dream that you will no longer be bothered or financially hurt by having low income housing built in your neighborhood..."
The Trump administration is dumping fair housing rules that were enacted during the Obama administration and playing on what they perceive as the fears of the suburban communities that having people of color in their neighborhoods will bring down property values. And while fears such as those caused much dissension and violence in mid-twentieth century America, there is a growing body of evidence showing that the country has moved on - even if Donald Turmp has not.
So to recap, today three United States Presidents will be linking arms and acknowledging our better selves, and one will be focused on dragging us back into the cesspool of racial strife and division. Two Americas will be on display today, and in November we will know which one prevails.
Rest in peace, Congressman Lewis, and know that your "good trouble" lives on and will be a force for good far into the future.
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