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OPINION THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 - 12, 2020 • PAGE 5 Following John Lewis’ path by standing up, speaking up and speaking out The past two weeks have been emotionally draining for those who admired the lifelong work of civil rights legend Congressman John Lewis. The days-long tributes for Lewis were edifying for those unfamiliar with the extent of his sacrifice and dedication and comforting for others knowledgeable about how he served the country and became such a revered leader. Lewis was not one to champion a single cause or group, he passionately fought for the civil rights and human rights of people of color, the poor, immigrants, senior citizens, the LGBQT community and more. He worked hard for the interests of his constituents in the 5th Congressional District, which he represented for more than 30 years, but his focus was always broader. He fought injustices across the American landscape. Lewis’ passing on July 17 leaves many of us wondering about the future, particularly in these tumultuous times of our nation’s crisis. Civil unrest, protests against injustices, calls for change, confrontations with police and government are reminiscent of the nationwide civil rights struggle of decades ago. As he knew his life was ending, Lewis left us with a gift. In his final days he penned words of inspiration that he requested be published in The New York Times on the day of his funeral. In part, his eloquent and moving essay stated, “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble. Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society.” He also shared that he was compelled to visit Black Lives Matter plaza in Washington, D.C., in his final days. “You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society,” stated Lewis in the essay. “Millions of people motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens of division. Around the country and the world, you set aside race, class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.” Lewis looked upon the turbulence in our nation and saw hope and promise. He asked all of us to “stand up, speak up and speak out” for the betterment of our community, country and the world. What better way to honor this legend than to do just that. Cain and Able Without a doubt, 2020 continues to be the year of the “Great Suck.” The world and Georgia lost two civil rights giants within hours of each in the last week of July, and now we lost another leader - and to me, a good friend. Herman Cain, a successful entrepreneur, former presidential and U.S. Senate candidate, and longtime radio talk show talent at WSB Ra dio, as well as nationally syndicated commentator, succumbed to coro- navims. He was not the first person taken too soon by this pandemic, nor will he be the last, but the place he leaves behind was and is a unique one. Cain was a Black conservative; they are not as rare as a white rhi noceros or white deer, but they can be hunted and targeted, even within their own communities, almost as fiercely. Cain was originally brought in to the WSB Radio team in Atlanta as a fill-in host. I would later learn of his many abilities and highly im pressive business career with Burger King, Pillsbury, Godfather’s Pizza, and the National Restaurant Associ ation. He also chaired the regional Federal Reserve Bank dining his tenure in Kansas City. I joined the deep talent roster of WSB Radio in Atlanta as a political analyst in 2006. ‘One Man’s Opinion’ BILL CRANE bill.csicrane@gmail.com As I got to know Herman, I of ten heard of his wife Gloria and two children. As his conservative star was rising, he became WSB Radio’s nighttime conservative voice and talk show host. The New Herman Cain Show was bom. Heading into the 2008 presiden tial campaign season, Herman and his longtime radio show producer Shane Backler, or Shaney B„ as he is known to longtime fans, began to call to book me during the 9 to 10 p.m. hour of his show. We would discuss the presidential primaries, the field shaping up for contested races in the U.S. Senate and House as well as the issues driving the attention and focus of the elector ate. I’m not sure who suggested it first, but this segment became a Wednesday night regular feature of Herman’s show called “Cain & Crane: Food for Your Brain.” My politics were not and are not as conservative as Herman’s; there were and are many things we agreed on, particularly the responsibility of each individual to take control of their own life and to not look to or rely on the government (at any level) to solve every problem. Yet on those rare occasions that we disagreed; Herman was never disagreeable. I asked him as he was entering the presidential contest in 2012 why he would give up the lu crative and safe perch of a nationally syndicated radio program for the crapshoot of national politics as well as the possible negative impacts of a presidential campaign on his family. He said it had been a hard les son that took him a long time to leam to tell the difference between what one “had to do,” and what one “ought to do,” - the latter coming to him in the church often as it related to helping or leading others in a better direction. Herman felt he had something to offer our nation and he ably entered the arena as he felt it was something he ought to do with little regard for the financial and per sonal sacrifices he would make. As news outlets and particu larly cable networks will continue to insinuate that Herman caught COVID-19 while attending a Trump campaign rally in Tulsa on June 20, sans mask, you should know that it was Herman’s daughter who came home to be with him and his wife af ter experiencing several COVID-19 symptoms after the rally. On July 1, Herman took his daughter to be cared for at an area hospital. Having survived multiple forms of cancer and aggressive che motherapy treatments, Herman had a somewhat compromised immune system. As his daughter was being taken into care, Herman stood up out of his car to check on her and col lapsed at the door to the emergency room. He was admitted into the hos pital as well and unfortunately this virus did the rest. However, even until the end, Herman was fighting back, and I hear from those who did speak to or email with him, he still had those jokes and that smile and high spirit with him until the end. I imagine about now it will be happy hour in heaven, Herman please go ahead and pour one for me, I will be there before too terribly long to join you. Rest in peace, my friend. Bill Crane also serves as a political analyst and commentator for Channel 2’s Action News, WSB-AMNews/Talk 750 and now 95.5 FM, as well as a columnist for The Champion, DeKalb Free Press and Georgia Trend. Crane is a DeKalb native and business owner, living in Scottdale. You can reach him or comment on a column at bill.csicrane@gmail.com.