Congressman shares experience of racism in light of recent shootings

Following the recent shootings in America, John Robert Lewis, the U.S. Representative for Georgia’s 5th congressional district, has shared his experience of using a whites-only restroom 55 years ago.

“55yrs ago today I was released from Parchman Penitentiary after being arrested in Jackson for using “white” restroom”.

55yrs ago today I was released from Parchman Penitentiary after being arrested in Jackson for using "white" restroom pic.twitter.com/i4CMCrJ3Lh

— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) July 7, 2016

He said: “I was beaten bloody by police officers. But I never hated them. I said, ‘Thank you for your service.(sic)”

After the infamous single act of disobedience by Rosa Parks in Montgomery in 1955, the civil rights movement developed in America.

In 1966, Tuskegee Institute student Samuel Younge Jr. was the first black student to be killed for trying to use a whites-only restroom.

Younge served in the navy before being discharged due to a failed kidney, he then returned to Tuskegee and joined the civil rights movement during his first semester at school.

Reports say he was “violently” killed.

Lewis said: “I feel sometimes we’re sliding backwards. The scars & stains of racism are still deeply embedded in America society (sic). We have to deal with it.”