A moving moment.

Today, the 10^th of July 2012 is definitely one that I will jot down as one of the most memorable, not only of my trip to DC, but possibly of my life. Apart from the ever amazing experience of spending yet another day as an intern at the World Bank, the high light has to be short time that the SAWIP team had the honour of going to Capitol Hill and meeting Congressman John Lewis.

Prior to arriving at Capitol Hill, I knew some of Congressman John Lewis’ history and knew that I would be in the presence of a man that has played a huge role in the fight for equal rights for Americans, especially the oppressed Black African Americans during the times of the Black American Civil Movement.

When Congressman John Lewis walked into the room next to his office in which the team was sitting, we immediately experienced the humbleness of this Great man. He walked around to all of us greeting us and made a point of not leaving anyone out, shook everyone’s hand and then made sure that we all had a seat before he even though of continuing with our meeting.

Every lesson that came from what Congressman John Lewis spoke about is something that I will treasure but the most powerful lesson that I took out of what he said today is that ‘man can only be liberated when he has overcome fear’. To put this in context, he spoke about his late friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr.

Dr. King Jnr. was so passionate about liberation that he didn’t fear any consequence of the fight to the attainment of it, not even death. Congressman Lewis shares the same beliefs as that of Dr. King and this is evident in his stories of how he was beaten during the Civil Movement as well as in the passion in which he spoke to us.

As mentioned earlier, I knew that I was going to be in the presence of a great man but had no idea on the impact that he would leave on me. Congressman Lewis has been arrested 40 times for standing up for a belief; he has walked next to Dr. King during the Civil Movement; spoke at the ‘I have a dream speech’ and has cried in the arms of Mr. Nelson Mandela. This great man has met the best and was beaten by the most cruel and is still so humble and passionate about liberation for all. In many ways, shapes and forms I see and truly feel that Congressman Lewis has done as much good in this world as what the greats like Dr. King and our very own Tata Mandela have done.

Today I was WOWed by a great man and realized that if we all only do 10% of the good that Congressman Lewis, Dr. King and Mr. Mandela have done, this world will be a even bigger pleasure to be part of.