‹ Back

There will be “Good Trouble” rallies/protests across the country in honor of John Lewis who died five years ago today.  As an adult I learned he led the protest on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma which was a key catalyst in the civil rights victories we achieved when America was guided by the better angels of our nature. And I learned he had been beaten during that protest and it wound up being seen for how unjust and revolting bigoted, racist, segregationist, unpatriotic treatment of and policies toward Black people was in our country.

 

In 1965 Mr. Lewis led the first of three Selma to Montgomery marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge where, in an incident that became known as “Bloody Sunday,” state troopers and police attacked him and the other marchers. When images of these attacks were shown on nightly news to all of America, the tide turned on acceptance of segregationist policies and brutality in our country.

 

Sadly, the tide has turned in the wrong direction since Trump came on the political scene in 2016 and especially this year. Blacks, like women, children’s advocates, and so many other groups, will have to fight again for the rights we thought were finally self-evident.

 

John Lewis is acknowledged, rightfully, as a hero. He didn’t just walk the walk; he lived his truth and his principles even when it meant being beaten. His fight is our fight again. We all must become John Lewises if we don’t want to become a country guided by bigotry and evil, small-mindedness again. Come out and do your part at a Good Trouble rally today. If you can, come out with us between 18th and 20th on 17/92 in Sanford anytime between 4:00 and 6:00.

 

Lord knows our country needs Good Trouble right now.