This photo crossed my desk yesterday, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and John Lewis. Lewis was born poor, but a free African American in Maryland the same year as Clemens, 1835. As the Civil War approached Lewis moved north to Elmira, New York. Clemens was also in Elmira to be near Olivia Langdon, whom he would later marry. Lewis had gone to work for her father. Then in 1877, Lewis heroically managed to stop a runaway horse and buggy carrying Twain’s sister-in-law and niece, keeping it from plunging off a cliff. Lewis and Twain struck up a friendship, which profoundly impacted Twain’s understanding of race and inequity in the US. The two were often seen in each other’s company, warmly discussing their affairs.
Though times can be challenging to surmount, it is in personal relationships that we often find our salvation. There is nothing like getting to know someone whose position or other element seems to keep you apart. We know that adults learn to appreciate those they have a bias towards when given the chance to get to know someone personally. This is why Harvey Milk encouraged the gay community to come out, so that all across the nation people would recognize family members, friends, colleagues, and people they depend upon as gay. This courageous movement was one of the key factors that laid the foundation for marriage equality.
Is there someone that you judge, whom you might have a coffee with this week? Someone whose countenance or way of speaking causes you discomfort? Spend time together to see if circumstances might change your heart.
“If we went by the world’s definition of who I’m supposed to be because I look weird… ‘Well, surely, this guy can’t have a productive life, surely, he doesn’t have a sense of humor. Surely, he can’t love life.’ We stereotype people in this world. And so… if the world thinks you’re not good enough, it’s a lie, you know. Get a second opinion.”
– Nick Vujicic
