For this, you need to take action. I believe that we are all a spark of the divine, and if that spark is nurtured it can become a burning flame, an eternal force of light. Why do so many citizens choose not to vote in our elections?". I had the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama in mind. One thing I enjoyed in the book was all of the small biographical details about leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. I think there's a feeling on the part of some Americans that they don't have anyone to vote for or they don't have anything to vote for. Thanks for listening all. But we shouldn't be going around putting people down because of their age, race, class. The detectives get into their car and chase the dog, which ends up in the middle of the road, dangerously close to the. These are the little lessons that the book tries to talk about -- speak about. We prepared ourselves. There's so much money being spent, and there are going to be more millions and billions of dollars will be spent. This is a man who has lived to see the change. However, some people can inspire all of us. Thus, nothing could undermine your belief that your convictions are correct. LEWISIt was 600 people walking in twos armed only with a dream. We're so mean to each other. An instance of the success of the movement could be observed in the talk of Lewis about the bad old days with kids of the partitioned South. However, Lewis' involvement in the fight for social justice did not end after the 50s and 60s. is particularly well structured. LEWISSometimes I feel like we can do better, that we can do much better, but we must open up the political process and let all of the people come in. The success of the civil rights movement could only become likely with the people like Lewis that committed to study, plan, and prepare for years. He successfully guided activists along the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama where they encountered armed state soldiers. And that juxtaposition seemed to be very powerful and I wanted to get the congressman's reaction to that. And you're listening to "The Diane Rehm Show." I have taught this for years, and it was good to hear that I've been on the right track, but the depth and nuance of his explanation deepened my understanding considerably. With vivid details and a front-row perspective, Lewis, who died July 18, 2020, provides more than a memoir about the early civil rights movement and its leaders. This effort, in conclusion, brought the Voting Rights Act of 1965. While some of this felt just like what you'd expect (and have probably heard before) there were many moments where I found new insight, specifically when it came to the mindset of the activists in the civil rights movement. REHMAll right. I'm sure you remember the days when intermarriage between the races was a controversial issue.". (2012). Eye opening Youll be offered highly surprising insights. ALEXI feel like there is a lot of narcissism and I feel like -- I think we've overcome a lot of racial barriers, but I feel like a lot of arrogance is still carried through from the '60s to now. REHMAnd do you agree with our caller that racial slurs were never LEWISNo, I do not agree because some members did hear racial slurs and people were calling people names. Find out more about . At its best, the book provides a testament to the power of nonviolence in social movements, with moving personal accounts of the Freedom Rides, such as when Lewis describes being physically beaten in South Carolina or sitting out a 40-day sentence in the unrelenting Parchman Farm prison in Mississippi. There was an unfair condition because people were giving permission silently to all these. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Copyright Interaction Institute for Social Change. And it was like what I would call the essence of the beloved community. And they cry, they hug me, I cry and hug them back. Barack Obama praised John Lewis at his funeral: Like many US citizens, I am greatly indebted to John Lewis and his powerful vision of freedom.. And I've thought more people would be united like, you know, young adults. I think he led the House in a different direction, led us to a different place. [] As I loved his autobiography Walking with the Wind, I was thrilled when my wonderful sister told me about this book and gave me a copy. LEWISAnd I also take the position that I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up and fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation. From that organization, Parks learned about events and protests that activists designed to spotlight segregation on the public transit system. And these young people, they get the message of the civil rights movement. The secrets of non-violence to overcome the illusions of superiority and false righteousness. Helpful Youll take-away practical advice that will help you get better at what you do. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. The overall goal of CPN is to further develop a Our first son was born on Saturday, he came two months early and he is AMAZING. We can go back to where President Roosevelt left off and start a massive, a massive public work program. Copyright 2012 John Lewis. I would take that a step further and say that every voting individual should read this book. Lewis and his fellow Freedom Riders demonstrated love by silently resisting the anger of an insulting regime. Did you have a belief that you know it is true within all of your veins? from John Lewiss Across That BridgeAuthor: Lewis, John Publisher: Hyperion Illustration: N Language: ENG . As I hope to pursue a career in politics and/or the legal system, I can see myself coming back to this book many times throughout my life. Books we rate below 5 wont be summarized. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Good morning to you. He calls on the Occupy Movement, the Arab Spring and other grassroots leaders to focus on the nonviolent principles that propelled his generation: Faith, patience, study, truth, peace and love. Tip O'Neill was the outgoing speaker, and it was a different climate, a different environment that people did meet. REHMAnd welcome back. More than fifty million of our citizens are not even registered to vote. The movement formed an example of tackling todays hardships. It is not just in some of us; its in everyone. Lewis makes frequent references to examples from history, and the words of peaceful leaders of the past, to support his points. Insiders take Youll have the privilege of learning from someone who knows her or his topic inside-out. Love in action. People voted against everything that the Democrats had proposed and everything that this president has proposed. These are perhaps the most powerful, for Lewis's generosity of spirit and commitment to justice shine through brightly, illuminating the possibilities of what it means to be fully human in our world and resist brutality and oppression. I was proud to see the recognition given to the school, and prouder to see it stated that Mrs. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Why has that happened? Controversial Youll be confronted with strongly debated opinions. Thursday, Feb 16 2023The showdown in Florida over an A.P. Here are 10 quotes from Lewis that provide perspective and inspiration for the fight for social justice. I have the feeling you had a particular bridge in mind when you titled that book. Lean toward the whispers of your own heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates. LEWISWell, I happen to believe in the Democratic Party. We will hear less. Historian Douglas Brinkley says Congressman John Lewis is that most rare of politicians. The Edmund Pettus Bridge was the site of the conflict of "Bloody Sunday" on March 7, 1965, when armed policemen attacked civil rights demonstrators with billy clubs and tear gas as they were attempting to march to the Alabama State Capital of Montgomery. I had been through many, many peaceful, nonviolent protests and had never ever witnessed anything like that. John Lewis and activists organized a walk to the state capitol to protest the voter discrimination. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Marianne Williamson, Truth: The truth is incontrovertible. And he probably misspoke. REHMWho do you see as some of the most promising young African American leaders today? You know, we talk an awful lot in this country about voting and the people who do vote, the people who don't vote, the people who now cannot vote. It was 47years ago that a group of us attempted to walk across that bridge to dramatize to the nation and to the world that people of color wanted to register to vote. However, Lewis was thinking that we are one family. At the time people started to quit their permissions, the conditions started to change. You also have this chance. Lewis devoted his life to stimulate his companion people to turn their inner sparks into fires. I'm happy to be with you this morning. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. You just travel to some other part. Good morning, Congressman Lewis. Introduction: Some men see things as they are and say Why? I dream things that never were and say Why not? Robert F. Kennedy, Faith: Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11: 1, Patience: Without patience, we will learn less in life. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. I love how devoted he was and is to nonviolent social change, how he continues to live the dream that many gave up on in the late 1960s, and his support of current civil rights issues of gay rights and educational equality. For the past year,Carole Martinand I have been co-facilitating a network leadership program supported by the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund called theCommunity Practitioners Network(CPN). I take a little bit of -- I guess I get a little bit bristled when I hear the congressman speak in such eloquent tones today of how we should be more civil and less divisive, et cetera, et cetera. DAVIDWhat I wanted to call about is when I teach media history, we talk about the coverage of Pettus Bridge broke on the media and interrupted the Nuremberg trial the first time it was shown on network television. Thank you. Like the DL I get that feeling of peace reading Lewis's words, and wonder what it would have been like to be around MLK Jr. and the others that Lewis mentions as being his inspirations and teachers. At getAbstract, we summarize books* that help people understand the world and make it better. I just finished reading his 2017 book called Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America, in which he told his own story of his path that lead him to the bridge in Alabama that day, his . And we all cried a little to hear the president of the United States say, and we shall overcome. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., he joined the burgeoning civil rights movement. The president has introduced job proposals to Democrats. Currently, activists of the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter, and the Occupy Movement are battling the same wars that were battled in the civil rights movement. ALEXGood morning. Full Book Name:Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America Author Name:John Lewis Book Genre:Audiobook, Biography, History, Memoir, Nonfiction, Politics, Race Series Detail: ISBN # 9781401324117 ASIN # 1401324118 Edition Language:English Date of Publication:May 15, 2012 John Robert Lewis was the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district, serving since 1987 and was the dean of the Georgia congressional delegation. So this country is a country of immigrants. His bounty is an example of how actions can be used to show your truth is respectable. Congressman John Lewis from Georgia is with me this morning. LEWISWell, you're right. Why risk beating, torture, even death to sacrifice ourselves within the network of our family, on our jobs, in our communities, the nation, or the world at large for the sake of progress we may not live to see? REHMJohn Lewis, Congressman from Georgia. Even as you were facing the dogs and facing the, I mean, segregation and having your right denied and everything, I find today that we're faced with a greater challenge than that, and it comes at the hand -- at the fact that the number of cause of death in America for a black American is abortion. African American legislators > Biography. Agent: Bob Barnett. I picket an abortion clinic four times a week here in the city of Fort Worth. The late John Lewis offers his thoughts on social activism in this short book. Scientific Youll get facts and figures grounded in scientific research. Of course, he was gifted. The aim for these? LEWISWhat happened March 7, 1965 in Selma, that Sunday became known as Bloody Sunday. Call us on 800-433-8850. Our election become an auction and it will go to the highest bidder. MS. DIANE REHMCongressman Lewis joins me in the studio. House. Now 65, he and Diane revisit his provocative essay. Why must we be the ones? Comprehensive Youll find every aspect of the subject matter covered. African American civil rights workers > Biography. 6 Notable. Civil rights activists transformed the ongoing unjust situations for African Americans in the strongest country of the world in just 12 years. I know the mayor. I often found myself highlighting Lewis' words while reading and making note of the advice he gives in each chapter. Courageous, hopeful and inspiring civil rights leader John Lewis is one of my heroes. From Page 164, "Perhaps the variations in appearance and expression that seem to occupy so much of our concern--tall, short, black, brown, straight hair or curly, white or yellow, fat or slender, gay or straight--are more an expression of the broad imagination of the Creator than they are an indication of our value or worth.". Across That Bridge Representative John Lewis (D-GA) talked about his book, Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change, in which he presents lessons he read more More. getAbstract offers a free trial to qualifying organizations that want to empower their workforce with curated expert knowledge. The most brutal century was the twentieth century in modern history. For instance, he got award money because of being the youngest Nobel Prize winner. That's not good for our society. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. Still, he is pointed as an excellent orator. REHMWhat was your reaction to the Trayvon Martin case? John Lewis organized the March on Washington with MLK, served on the Atlanta City Council, and was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. However, encouraging humankind to allow their light glow is not initiated by Lewis. A must read for those in the struggle today for equality and fairness. The irony in "Across the Bridge" is expressed through the . We will feel less. What was your reaction to that? Speak up when you see something that is not fair or just. The obvious being his crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday (you can look here to see the John Lewis Bridge Project which seeks to rename this bridge after him), but the title is also very fitting because core to Lewis's belief system is the fact that to make progress with . Lewis paid his price by having his skull broken by the police, a run over him by horses, threatened by dogs, repelled with fire hoses, worn manacles, and put to prison. 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