Real presidents

And this is the parting message from the worthy man to whom they gave tribute.

I can’t say I knew John Lewis, but I did meet him one evening at the Corcoran Museum when my wife was Chief Curator there. I don’t remember our conversation about whatever political issue was then roiling Washington, but I do remember the impression he left. He was precisely as described by these real presidents: modest and genuine, with time to listen, absorb, and appreciate what people were saying to him.

I was also present for his March on Washington speech in 1963. His was a radical voice, but a radical voice in favor of a reasonable goal to be reached with nonviolent means: he wanted the equality promised in America’s founding documents, no more but no less. His was not the voice of separation or threats of violence, but rather of integration and reason.

No, President Trump was not at the funeral. He would not have been welcomed, and he would not have been at ease. His is an America where suburbs resist integration, real estate moguls discriminate against minorities, police are licensed to mistreat citizens, tax cuts are for the rich, pardons are for people the president likes, and the election is over before all the votes are counted.

Real presidents don’t think that way. And John Lewis brought out the best in them.