Segregationist Who Beat John Lewis Asks Forgiveness
February 9, 2009
In 1961, Elwin Wilson assaulted John Lewis, an African American civil rights activist who was protesting racial segregation. Forty-eight years later, Wilson issued an apology to Lewis, a member of the House of Representatives since 1986. In the article, "Segregationist who beat John Lewis asks forgiveness," Wilson describes his decision to apologize to Lewis and hopes it will encourage others to do the same, declaring, "If just one person comes forward and gets the hate out of their heart, it's all worth it." ABC News produced a three-minute program which includes historical footage of Lewis and Wilson from nearly fifty years ago and scenes of their emotional reunion in February, 2009.
Discussion Questions:
- What factors do you think may have encouraged Wilson to apologize to Lewis?
- What is the purpose of issuing an apology, especially after so many years? What can an apology accomplish?
- What else, besides an apology, can help individuals and communities heal after conflicts?
- Wilson's apology to Lewis appeared in a local paper and then became national news. What is the significance of the fact that Wilson issued a public apology to Lewis?
- What do you think this apology represents to Wilson? To Lewis? To those reading about this story?
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