Ga. Rep. Lewis and ex-segregationist to get award

maddezmom

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Thu Oct-29-09 05:21 AM
Original message

Ga. Rep. Lewis and ex-segregationist to get award

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Georgia Rep. John Lewis and the white man who attacked him during a civil rights protest in 1961 have been chosen to receive the Common Ground award.

Lewis, who is black, and Elwin Wilson will receive the award Thursday at the Canadian Embassy in Washington.

The honor is given to those who've made significant contributions to bridging divides between people, finding solutions to seemly uncontrollable problems, and providing inspiration and hope.

Read more: http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=29&sid=1797735

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Tx4obama

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Thu Oct-29-09 05:53 AM
Response to Original message

1. Ah, I remember hearing about the apology months ago on TV

Edited on Thu Oct-29-09 06:06 AM by Tx4obama

The white guy (ex-Klansman Elwin Wilson) that beat up Congressman John Lewis (in 1961) found Lewis (in 2009) and apologized to him for what he did and Lewis forgave him.

Here's some links:

Former Klansman Asks Forgiveness of Civil Rights Leader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz4P50WKjZQ

Ex-KKK apologizes to Rep John Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjPTU_S4MHE

Apology to John Lewis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MCmJC6Ok8o

Man Asks Entire Town for Forgiveness for Racism
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y77fUFUfk9I

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Judi Lynn

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Thu Oct-29-09 05:55 AM
Response to Reply #1

2. Thanks, Tx4obama. Thoughtful links. n/t

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maddezmom

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Thu Oct-29-09 06:15 AM
Response to Reply #1

5. great links

thanks for posting them. :hi:

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Judi Lynn

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Thu Oct-29-09 06:02 AM
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3. Thanks, maddezmom. Don't know how many people would be able to do what Rep. Lewis has done.

He has always been an exceptional person.

It must have been painful, too, for Elwin Wilson, to acknowledge what he did was dead wrong. It takes a real effort to move beyond something that awful, and do it openly, formally.

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maddezmom

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Thu Oct-29-09 06:14 AM
Response to Reply #3

4. Rep Lewis is one amazing and forgiving man.

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CurtEastPoint

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Thu Oct-29-09 07:07 AM
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6. A bright star in Georgia and proud to say... my congressman. John..

Edited on Thu Oct-29-09 07:07 AM by CurtEastPoint

has done so many good things for us all. Congratulations, Mr. Lewis.

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Alcibiades

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Thu Oct-29-09 10:05 AM
Response to Reply #6

9. You're lucky to have him

I wish we had more people of his caliber and courage in Congress.

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Wingmasters

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Thu Oct-29-09 08:45 AM
Response to Original message

7. Ga. Rep. Lewis and ex-segregationist to get award

Great Guy, has done so much .

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fascisthunter

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Thu Oct-29-09 09:55 AM
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8. awesome!

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barbtries

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Thu Oct-29-09 10:15 AM
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10. "Lewis, who is black, and Elwin Wilson" ...

i guess wilson's just normal. :wtf:

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alp227

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Fri Oct-30-09 08:29 PM
Response to Original message

11. Well, Obama has blessed even the most wicked people with change!

I just read about this today on the Huffington Post. Good job Elwin Wilson. Hopefully he becomes a model for other racist idiots who still think like it's the 1940s.

Why is the award being given in the Canadian Embassy? Is the Common Ground Award from Canadian organisation (notice my spelling)?

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