Home > Interfaith News > Come Walk In My Shoes

"COME WALK IN MY SHOES"

Sayyid M. Syeed, national director of ISNA and the Office of Interfaith and Community Alliances, was invited by the Faith and Politics Institute to attend the premier of a new documentary film on Civil Rights leader Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga) titled "Come Walk in My Shoes". The film chronicles the progress made in the United States since the time of segregated schools and violence against the peaceful Civil Rights protesters to the present day in which Barack Obama stands as the Democratic nominee for the U.S. presidency. The impact of civil rights movement still continues in America and internationally, said Lewis.

"It's inspiring for us when we look back at the struggle these people fought, the way they were able to create unity" said Dr. Syeed who believes that religious bigotry is the most crucial issue of our time. Religious tolerance can be overcome through the same nonviolent means that helped curb racism; "I have faith that we will be able to show similar solidarity in fighting religious bigotry". Dr. Syeed acknowledged that "This is an example from our own history that a monster as big as this can be fought with nonviolent means".

Tarek Abuata from Love Thy Neighbor, a group that promotes nonviolence between Israelis and Palestinians, believes that many Palestinians can relate with the Black American's struggle in the 1960s.

"Come Walk in My Shoes" is the type of documentary that "awakens the idea that if there is something that is troubling you, you could do something about it" said filmmaker Robin Smith. Rep. John Lewis, one of the significant leaders of American Civil Rights Movement who played a key role in the struggle to end the segregation, said that people keep telling him that racial issue has not changed. He would reply back by saying "Come walk in my shoes", and this stimulated many congressmen and congresswomen to take a pilgrimage to the historic places of Alabama to witness the sacrifices that Civil Rights activist made were not in vain.   

 The document will air on PBS occasionally through out the next four years and is being shown in schools around the country. While America has made notable progress since the days of segregation, Lewis knows that there is still work to be done.