For the good of a badly divided country, Edwards hopes Americans take heed of the lessons Robinson taught us.

If not, Edwards said, "We are in for some very, very dark days," perhaps as dark as the turbulent 1960s, the era that spawned the OPHR.

"We look to what a lot of people still consider the toy department of human affairs for guidance," he said. "In the voices of children, and in the games they play, a lot of times we find resolution to some of the most important issues and challenges that we face.

"We are still talking about race. We are still talking about 'Can she do it?' We are still talking about religion. We are still talking about the rich and the poor, rather than talking about 'We the people.' The words are there. We just don't believe them."

Edwards might not live to see whether our days turn dark. He is 81, and he is fighting bone cancer. He walks slowly and deliberately.

"I'm tired all the time," he said.

He has fought injustice in the arena for a lifetime, from Jackie Robinson to John Carlos and Tommie Smith, from Jim Brown to Colin Kaepernick. He happily pulls up two pictures from his cell phone: one of him with Martin Luther King Jr., another of him with Malcolm X.

He will fight all his good fights, for however long he can.

"I am not just at peace," he said. "I am fulfilled."

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