Inspiration
John Lewis: Good Trouble
Dear Ann,
With poignant timing, there is a new documentary film about Representative John Lewis, who died a week ago.
From early adulthood, John Lewis’s life was about one thing: justice for Black people in America. He was a shining example of what one person can do, pursuing that singular vision, working on it every day. Conquering fear, staying human, connecting to other people.
I watched the film, John Lewis: Good Trouble, two weeks before he died. Our quarantine pod fam sat together watching it. The compelling archival news footage in the film sparked the olders to tell the youngers our childhood memories of the 1960s civil rights movement. John Lewis was there for so many pivotal moments. And he kept being there, in the thick of it, until the end of his life. Despite all he went through, and the disheartening persistence of the injustices he fought, his life gives hope.
He was also a good story teller—do not miss the one about preaching to the chickens.
I highly recommend John Lewis: Good Trouble. There are lots of ways to see it.
Love,
Kay
John Lewis – the conscience America desperately needs at this time in our history.
Thank you for sharing this. Also thank you for mentioning the intergenerational discussion. Sometimes I forget that the younger generations don’t have the history of knowing what the past was like, watching the Civil Rights Movement evolve and the importance of this type of civil protest.
Yes, I wish we had been better about sharing our experiences with our children to provide context for what is happening now.
Excellent choice. Thanks.
When we think of the points in the past that change our thinking, our perception, and open our eyes, we don’t often see the leaders as us, as now. John Lewis’ life changed the course of the river for so many. His humor and internal guiding light; his passion for human rights in that we should all be treated right and with a just heart by others. May we all shine from within. Thank you, John Lewis.
Such a staggering loss.
Especially in these dark days.
I am one of many who have admired him for as long as I can remember. That is truly a great man and the loss couldn’t have come at a time when we need true leadership. Never to be forgotten and always admired. May he Rest In Peace.
John Lewis is a true American Patriot. He served our country and fought injustice for all people. As a country, we need more men like John Lewis. The United States will miss him horribly. Just as we miss John McCain. They were voices of sanity in an insane world.
John Lewis was an American hero.
I am heartbroken.
Vote. Demand voting rights !
Thank you for posting this. It is good to remember how violent and dangerous those early days were. As others are pointing out the younger folks don’t have the memories.
I truly JUST closed the window of my browser after watching Good Trouble! I saw so many sides of John Lewis that made me love him so much more–he was an animal lover, he was silly, AND a powerful man who has changed the course of our country in such profound ways. Getting to hear him answer direct questions from Oprah rather than seeing footage was really good, too. I almost missed that piece as it came at the end of allllll the credits for Good Trouble! I looked at the time left in the film and couldn’t figure out why there was so much left when I was at the end of the documentary. Once I zoomed past the credits, I caught a glimpse of John Lewis again–what? So I went
I bought March (his multi-part graphic novel bio) a few years ago so that our kids could know him as the hero he is to me. I’ll be sure to watch this with them.