Georgia's gubernatorial race and the robocalls made against candidate Stacey Abrams show the "scars and stains of racism" remain in society, and Americans must do more to confront the problem, Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights leader who participated in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, said Tuesday.
"We need to lay down the burden of racism and separation and create what I call, 'one America, one community, one house,' because all of us live in the same house, in the American house," the Georgia Democrat told CNN's "New Day."
Lewis said he is optimistic that Democrats will retake the House of Representatives in Tuesday's election, and has campaigned in his state for Democrat Stacey Abrams, who if elected, will become the first black female governor to be elected in the United States.
At the same time, Lewis said he does believe President Donald Trump has created a certain climate through his actions and words, and added that he was surprised by the president's tweet of an ad depicting immigrants as violent criminals, but glad television networks pulled the spot down.
"It was sick and not becoming of a political party, not becoming of the American people," said Lewis. "We have miles to travel before we create one America, one people. We must learn to live together."
Lewis also commented that if Democrats win the House, he does not object to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi reclaiming her spot as speaker.
"She's one of the most hard working, committed and dedicated individuals you ever want to meet, and she been working," said Lewis. "She's paid her dues and she continues to pay her dues."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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