One of the most prominent leaders of the Civil Rights Movement delivered the commencement address at Berea College Sunday.
Congressman John Lewis, of Georgia is widely known as one of the “Big Six” leaders of the movement working to end racial segregation and discrimination.
Among other accomplishments, Lewis was one of the organizers of the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
The 77-year-old encouraged the Berea graduates to use their education to speak up and speak out, saying "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate to do something about it.”
Lewis shared his experiences growing up under racial segregation including his being turned down for a card at his local public library because the library was for “whites only.
Lewis has represented Georgia’s Fifth District for 30 years.
He was given an honorary degree by the college. Chad Berry, Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculty described the congressman as a “real live hero.”
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