Some poor, unfortunate souls are unable to tell the late Rep. Elijah Cummings and the very alive Rep. John Lewis apart.
Cummings died early Thursday morning, and the social media tributes have been rolling in from politicians, celebrities and common folk. CNN reports former President Barack Obama said he and Michelle were "heartbroken over the passing of our friend, Elijah Cummings."
"It's a tribute to his native Baltimore that one of its own brought such character, tact, and resolve into the halls of power every day," Obama said in a statement.
"And true to the giants of progress he followed into public service, Chairman Cummings stood tallest and most resolute when our country needed him the most. May his example inspire more Americans to pick up the baton and carry it forward in a manner worthy of his service."
Unfortunately, some are posting pictures of Lewis. Additionally, some people are using #GoodTrouble, a term coined by Lewis in 2016, in messages about Cummings.
Fellow white people, please do not embarrass yourselves today by confusing Rep. Elijah Cummings with Rep. John Lewis (who is shown in this picture) pic.twitter.com/HAJXdXE7dt
— Bowl of Slimy Eyeballs Corbett (@BillCorbett) October 17, 2019
Y'all look at this right here. We're on the side of right. For patriotism for our once great country. Fight for our democracy. #GoodTrouble
#MadameSpeaker ???????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/aerTljf2m6— rabidwvufan???? (@AmyAyers16) October 17, 2019
What a hero looks like… grace, eloquence, dignity, truth and a voice of conviction and reason. Chairman of the United States House Committee on Oversight & Reform, Congressman and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. May you Rest In Power sir. @RepCummings
#ElijahCummings
pic.twitter.com/QlVv0FyRJp— AES75 (@antoinesoto) October 17, 2019
Who wouldn’t love this photograph. Now HERE is a pic worth a thousand words https://t.co/RSccx4QYFR
— Toby Berry (@TobyBerry6325) October 17, 2019
REST IN POWER to congressman, civil rights activist, dedicated public servant and leader, Elijah E. Cummings. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cummings family during their time of mourning. #BLACKGIRLSROCK
pic.twitter.com/HXENXnNyDn— BLACK GIRLS ROCK! (@BLACKGIRLSROCK) October 17, 2019
The mistake is so common Lewis' name is currently trending on Twitter due to a slew of corrections.
John Lewis (left), Elijah Cummings (right). I understand the confusion. pic.twitter.com/XgiA0LgUQr
— FERRARI SHEPPARD (@stopbeingfamous) October 17, 2019
We need to know the difference! #ripelijahcummings
#elijahcummings
#JohnLewis
#dobetter
pic.twitter.com/Qbu36hLPot— Melissa Missi Isbell (@mzmiszi) October 17, 2019
I do not have the patience for people who confuse Elijah Cummings and John Lewis today.
Or ever.
????
— brittany packnett cunningham (@MsPackyetti) October 17, 2019
Dear Twitter,
On the left is Rep. Elijah Cummings who sadly passed this morning
On the right is John Lewis who is still very much alive
Please don't post without knowing this. pic.twitter.com/43RulTrg5B— The Spooky Diabetic (@Fn_Mat) October 17, 2019
For those sharing this image today, your sentiment is appreciated; however, this is a photograph of John Lewis, not Elijah Cummings. pic.twitter.com/EfOBcdT5cj
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) October 17, 2019
John Lewis (left), Elijah Cummings (right). I understand the confusion. pic.twitter.com/XgiA0LgUQr
— FERRARI SHEPPARD (@stopbeingfamous) October 17, 2019
Lewis paid his respects to his fallen colleague, according to The Associated Press. The Georgia congressman said the United States "lost a great leader at a time of crisis in our democracy." Lewis added Cummings "was not afraid to use the power vested in him to inquire, investigate and demand the answers the American people deserve."
Cummings succumbed to "complications concerning long-standing health challenges," as Blavity previously reported. He had not been present for a congressional roll call since September 11. In recent years, he was hospitalized for a knee infection and heart issues.
Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, his wife and chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party, honored her husband in a statement hours after his passing.
"Congressman Cummings was an honorable man who proudly served his district and the nation with dignity, integrity, compassion and humility," she said. "He worked until his last breath because he believed our democracy was the highest and best expression of our collective humanity and that our nation's diversity was our promise, not our problem. I loved him deeply and will miss him dearly."
