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. LEWISWell, President Carter has always acted according to his faith. It is not just in some of us; its in everyone. Congressman Lewis' book is comprised of three essays on faith, patience, and peace. The insight portrayed, and depiction that, "education is the most important tool to institute this change" was amplified during Lewis's marches with Rev. Bold Youll find arguments that may break with predominant views. Lewis and his fellow Freedom Riders demonstrated love by silently resisting the anger of an insulting regime. It was not a coincidence that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. became the leader of the movement. 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. The life of Representative John Lewis was inspirational. Watch on YouTube. Lewis talks in detail about how he was able, mentally and emotionally, to put himself into situations over and over where he faced hatred, incarceration, and violence. I am grateful that John Lewis shared his story and for his work in Congress. You visit the reservations, the way Native Americans have been treated. House. Do join us by phone, by email. REHMHow would you feel about the introduction and the support for a third party in this country? 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. It reminded me of Emmett Till in 1955 in the State of Mississippi. The casket of Rep. John Lewis moves over the Edmund Pettus Bridge by horse drawn carriage during a memorial service for Lewis in Selma, Ala., on July 26, 2020. LEWISWell, you're right. It passed through the resistance of the South and caused directly the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the most influential law passed by Congress in 50 years.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'goodbooksummary_com-leader-3','ezslot_10',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-goodbooksummary_com-leader-3-0'); The civil rights movement was a challenge for the legal rights of African Americans. The job was not complete. 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. And Dr. King said, we'll make it from Selma to Montgomery and the voting rights act will be passed. LEWISHe had to backtrack. A must read for those in the struggle today for equality and fairness. Its dangerous to the future of the republic for us to let this happen. John Bazemore / AP There's a photograph of the late President John F. Kennedy sailing on his beloved Victura on the wall of U.S. Rep. John Lewis' 19th-floor office that bares this quote: "One man can make a . ESAYes. A very uplifting book. Yet, even fifty years later, it is rare to find anyone who would use the word love to describe what we did. I often found myself highlighting Lewis' words while reading and making note of the advice he gives in each chapter. In this backpack I had two books, had one apple and one orange. Now 65, he and Diane revisit his provocative essay. Our rating helps you sort the titles on your reading list from solid (5) to brilliant (10). Furthermore, she currently started to study Activist Theory on Racial Integration. Tip O'Neill was the outgoing speaker, and it was a different climate, a different environment that people did meet. As the child of sharecroppers,the late Congressman John Lewis helped his parents grow corn, peanuts and cotton. However, it is not sufficient to affect the world positively. REHMAnd now that Voting Rights Act is in some ways being challenged. On that day I thought I saw death. You are an inspiration to my life. Love in action. It's this feeling that I've been down so long and to down and get me down. Since that dreadful day, America has made a big improvement in closing the racial gap. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 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. Yesterday, President Obama and the First Family joined thousands of Americans at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to honor the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women who bled there, on that very pavement exactly 50 years ago.Many of those original "foot soldiers" joined him yesterday, including Congressman John Lewis, who helped to organize the . And to see these young people -- I shouldn't get into name -- I shouldn't start calling colleges and universities, but they understand. The movement formed an example of tackling todays hardships. He never hesitated in his belief in nonaggression or that we are only human as a family, whatever our race is. It's just dumb. I remember going there, talking with people and meeting with people on several occasions. We need to have all of the facts. Free shipping for many products! There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. In reality, facing violence and inequality made the faith of Lewis and his counterparts more powerful. Thus, nothing could undermine your belief that your convictions are correct. Thus, he committed his life to get to know the reasons for his world to be in this way. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Historian Douglas Brinkley says Congressman John Lewis is that most rare of politicians. LEWISAt the end of that speech, he said, and we shall overcome. And if he succeeds, if he continues, then America will continue to succeed and maybe emerge as the hope of people from around the world. His new book is titled "Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change." Just have the feeling that people need to know the lessons that we learn and what we try to do just try to help a little bit. That's not good for our society. DOWNLOAD OPTIONS No suitable files to display here. I loved this book (read it in one sitting) and as Douglas Brinkley says in his foreward every young person should read this homily on civility. The recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressman Lewis has represented Georgia's Fifth Congressional District since 1986. They explain how he was able to face down violence and respond in a non-violent manner to people who thought he was their enemy, and later offer his opponents love and reconciliation. You say there is a unique hostility in these times that almost seems worse to me than what we experienced in the 1960s. It takes time but it can be done. As he writes, "All of our work, all our struggle, all our days add up to one purpose: to reconcile ourselves to the truth, and finally accept once and for all that we are one people, one family, the human family, that we are all emanations of one divine source and that source is Love.". Speak up when you see something that is not fair or just. Why do so many citizens choose not to vote in our elections?". He also argues strongly against war as counterproductive in a way that seemed naive and simplistic. You did have a feeling -- a good feeling. But there's not much going on in America that say that this president, here and there, that this president is not one of us, that he's not a citizen. In this engaging memoir, he details his journey through rural Alabama, the 1960s-era voting rights protests and the halls of Congress. REHMAnd I'm so happy to have you here. 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? Lewis himself lived with a broken cranium that opened scars throughout his life. Do you recall the times that Barack Obamas election is thought to be a gate to post-racial America? We made a lot of progress but we still have a great distance to go. He died on July 17, 2020. He does go back to his home in Georgia probably every weekend. Lewis was beaten to the ground in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and then relentlessly kicked as he fell to the ground. John Lewis crossing Edmund Pettus Bridge in 1965. However, these gloomy times are only initial points for better things. LEWISWell, I think it's important for those of us who support marriage equality to continue to talk with these ministers, continue to educate them, to inform them. A contrast is called to mind between the aimless rioting and looting seen in present day, and the studied, planned, non-violent approaches of the earlier era, that led to an end of segregation and other injustices in the American South. But we shouldn't be going around putting people down because of their age, race, class. We need to live the truthand we need to set the right example. Zora Neale Hurston Maya Angelou Langston Hughes Ralph Ellison Gwendolyn Brooks Richard Wright Claude McKay REHMAnd welcome back. Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America by John Lewis Book Review The rising civil rights member John Lewis refined the characteristics needed to make a. WAYNEGood morning. However, patience can be strong leverage for transformations. Lewis devoted his life to stimulate his companion people to turn their inner sparks into fires. Conduct of life. The audiobook version I listened to 5 months ago is particularly suited for those who need solace from the current strife and inspiration that change is possible in the midst of the current polarized politics and emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement on the world stage. What was your reaction to that? As a leading player of the civil rights movement, Dr. King encountered a lot of hate and rage, even from his family. The book was meant to be inspiring, and it very much is inspiring. Reading this book has given me hope and has renewed my resolve to keep working. We will feel less. To register, they needed to be tested whether they can read and write. So many gave so much that seems to have been forgotten. Required fields are marked *. We are not there yet. Across that Bridge is beautiful and inspiring book. Sylvie shocked her mother by telling her that she did not love her fianc, leading to tension between the two and a cascade of difficult events. Shadow and Bone Six of Crows Red, White & Royal Blue A Court of Thorns and Roses The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo On the Come Up Circe The Night Circus Black Voices Celebrate Black History Month with these brilliant Black authors. Call us on 800-433-8850. And you're listening to "The Diane Rehm Show." Good morning to you. I'm sure you remember the days when intermarriage between the races was a controversial issue.". I've long held this position and I attend a lot of churches in my district in Georgia. REHMWhat do you think of a new poll suggesting that there is a racial divide when it comes to who voters trust with their economic futures? 1 Review . It is thought provoking and an excellent summary of the most basic principles of non-violence. Eventually, in activist societies, lots of stress is placed on determined, strong movements, such as protests. In this engaging memoir, he details his journey through rural Alabama, the 1960s-era voting rights protests and the halls of Congress. Hi, Congressman. (My students this term have loved it, and it has opened up some very rich conversations.). Rather, the test was filled with very challenging questions about weird texts from the state Constitution. Good morning, Congressman Lewis. All of these aspects were put into action in the Civil Rights movement in which Mr. Lewis played such an important role. So radical was Highlander's thought, it was placed under FBI surveillance. With an engaged electorate once again confronting questions of social inequality, there's no better time to revisit the lessons of the '60s and no better leader to learn from than Congressman John Lewis. It was almost like a holy march walking across that bridge, crossing the Alabama River. Lewis thought that all of us have a spark inside us of the divine as our light. You cannot build a wall when it comes to equality. Lewis, John, 1940 February 21-United States. REHMIf you could, would you do away with the filibuster? Throughout my career, I have never referred to anyone as a racist or as a thug. You can reach it just by being attentive to the environment that surrounds you. However, it was not only this. John Lewis guided a crowd of pacifist protestors to the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama on March, 7th, 1965. In a seemingly more partitioned world than ever, this is a message we must take into account. Insiders take Youll have the privilege of learning from someone who knows her or his topic inside-out. 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. I believe the true destiny of humankind is to recollect that it is light and to learn how to abide in infinite awareness of the divine in all matters of human affairs, Love is the willingness to sacrifice, to be beaten, to go to jail, to be killed for the betterment of society rather than live out your life in silence. Sometimes when I travel to Europe or Africa or to Asia, it seems like there's a greater sense of hope and support in other parts of the land, other parts of the world than here in America for this president. The opening of the eyes of people resembled Lewis of the civil rights movement the robust wind that passed through the US and changed the spiritual identity of the country. The title, Across That Bridge, is apt for many reasons. John Lewis discusses his comic book series MARCH on a special episode of NPT's A WORD ON WORDS. On March 7, 1965, when then-25-year-old activist John Lewis led over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama and faced brutal attacks by oncoming state troopers, footage of . I wanted to have something to eat, something to read. If we have to find a way to say to people if you don't vote, you don't count. For many people, that review would be helpful, but since I teach US history, a lot of that information was not new to me. It is left up to the woman and her family, her doctor to make the decision. When Lewis encountered hundreds of fully armed cops while standing up in the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, he did not even feel a tiny bit of fright of injury or death. So I can only assume that Mr. Lewis agrees with that assessment and doesn't say anything about it. Even at the highest level of our government, you see members of the Congress putting down other members, putting down the President of the United States. African American Studies And The Politics Of Ron DeSantis, Whats Next In The Fight Over Abortion Access In The US, Tyre Nichols and A New Push for Police Reform. And in the Senate it gets the filibuster. We must respect the dignity and the worth of every human being and everybody must be included. I looked at him. ESAGood morning, Diane. LEWISWell, thank you so much. LEWIShave used the filibuster, but it's time for us to say that it should be no more. And also good morning to Congressman Lewis. Good morning, Congressman Lewis. You don't have to be president of the United States. You have to say something.". We would destroy you the same way they tried to destroy President Clinton, and they didn't stop until they had a victory, until they took over the majority in the House and they want to win the White House back at any cost. The secrets of non-violence to overcome the illusions of superiority and false righteousness. 2017. John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 - July 17, 2020) was an American politician and civil rights activist who served in the United States House of Representatives for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020. He built the book around several practices that are essential for social justice work: faith, patience, study, truth, peace, love and reconciliation. I picket an abortion clinic four times a week here in the city of Fort Worth. It must be equality for all and not just for some. A self-help book for activists, specifically focusing on the values necessary to make change. With the passing of this hero of the Civil Rights movement and Conscience of the Congress I think many could benefit from this memoir and extended essay. This expression of regret would not have happened if Lewis has sued or defended himself with violence on that day. A helpful and/or enlightening book that stands out by at least one aspect, e.g. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia was one of the leaders of that movement in the 1960s. Innovative You can expect some truly fresh ideas and insights on brand-new products or trends. It challenged me to think of how I view the political & moral climate & how I choose to react. We don't know how to forgive and just move ahead. *getAbstract is summarizing much more than books. At the peak of the bridge, they saw the State troopers and the assigned citizens of Alabama. Lewis, John, 1940 February 21-> Philosophy. And you have to use that vote. Many of the principles seemed self-evident and therefore not particularly interesting. REHMNow, hasn't that been before this Congress? His new book is titled "Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change." Courageous, hopeful and inspiring civil rights leader John Lewis is one of my heroes. 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