John Lewis was a very important man in the civil rights movement. He helped his cause in many ways from leading SNCC, to giving speeches on the March on Washington. He helped many people through his actions, and is still currently opening people’s eyes about racism, and stereotypical slurs. John Lewis was, and truly is, a very important, inspiring man, for whom has helped mold this country.
Unique Beginnings
Unlike other famous names, John Lewis wasn’t faced with a life changing situation that started his Civil Rights career. He made his decision to join in civil rights movements after reading a comic book of Martin Luther King Jr and the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. At age 18 John Lewis treated his comic book like a Bible. Soon after, Lewis joined the SNCC and pursued his career. While he attended Fisk University he set up sit ins and at just age 21 volunteered for the freedom riders. This set way for a lifetime commitment towards civil rights.
Unlike other famous names, John Lewis wasn’t faced with a life changing situation that started his Civil Rights career. He made his decision to join in civil rights movements after reading a comic book of Martin Luther King Jr and the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. At age 18 John Lewis treated his comic book like a Bible. Soon after, Lewis joined the SNCC and pursued his career. While he attended Fisk University he set up sit ins and at just age 21 volunteered for the freedom riders. This set way for a lifetime commitment towards civil rights.
Every Group Needs A Leader
In his early stages of the SNCC, he and the Freedom Riders went to the South and protested segregation at bus terminals. After Chuck McDew retired as the leader of the SNCC, John Lewis was eager to take his position. John Lewis became the leader in 1963. As leader of the SNCC, he set up two important marches such as the march from Selma to Montgomery, and the “march on Washington”. He also spoke a great oration during the march on Washington, the MLK gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. Even though Mr. Lewis was great leader, all good things come to an end. He retired from the SNCC in 1966.
In his early stages of the SNCC, he and the Freedom Riders went to the South and protested segregation at bus terminals. After Chuck McDew retired as the leader of the SNCC, John Lewis was eager to take his position. John Lewis became the leader in 1963. As leader of the SNCC, he set up two important marches such as the march from Selma to Montgomery, and the “march on Washington”. He also spoke a great oration during the march on Washington, the MLK gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. Even though Mr. Lewis was great leader, all good things come to an end. He retired from the SNCC in 1966.
A Long Walk To Freedom
During his SNCC career, John Lewis helped plan and participate in the March On Washington and the march from Selma to Montgomery. On March 7, 1965 John Lewis led over 600 peaceful protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. They intended for a peaceful protest but were attacked by Alabama state troopers. Although this was a setback, it did not stop their efforts. They were beaten, gassed, and cursed at, and this was just one of many times this occurred.
During his SNCC career, John Lewis helped plan and participate in the March On Washington and the march from Selma to Montgomery. On March 7, 1965 John Lewis led over 600 peaceful protestors across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. They intended for a peaceful protest but were attacked by Alabama state troopers. Although this was a setback, it did not stop their efforts. They were beaten, gassed, and cursed at, and this was just one of many times this occurred.
Even Good Deeds Have a Price To Pay
Even though John Lewis’s actions were great in our eyes today, during the Civil Rights Movement, it was quite different. John Lewis was arrested over 40 times, trying to stop segregation, and was beaten regularly. During his times with the Freedom Riders, he would take bus rides across the South, which were regularly met by mobs, ready to beat and/or try to kill them at stop. He was even arrested while walking on a bridge, during his march on Selma to Montgomery, for standing up for what he believed in. Although this was a bad time in his career, this led to bigger and better things.
Even though John Lewis’s actions were great in our eyes today, during the Civil Rights Movement, it was quite different. John Lewis was arrested over 40 times, trying to stop segregation, and was beaten regularly. During his times with the Freedom Riders, he would take bus rides across the South, which were regularly met by mobs, ready to beat and/or try to kill them at stop. He was even arrested while walking on a bridge, during his march on Selma to Montgomery, for standing up for what he believed in. Although this was a bad time in his career, this led to bigger and better things.
Voting Rights Are Worth The Fight
Before John Lewis helped start up the voting rights act, African Americans were not given the same rights to vote as whites. His marches and his famous speeches gave the country an idea of how bad blacks were being treated. people heard stories of the beatings that occured, they saw the numbers of supporters, and they heard John Lewis’s famous speech during the March on Washington. Lewis help start up the voter education project (VEP). During his work for the VEP, Lewis added about four million minorities to voting polls. In 1977 Lewis was asked to lead more than 250,000 volenteers of action, which is the federal volenteer agency.
Before John Lewis helped start up the voting rights act, African Americans were not given the same rights to vote as whites. His marches and his famous speeches gave the country an idea of how bad blacks were being treated. people heard stories of the beatings that occured, they saw the numbers of supporters, and they heard John Lewis’s famous speech during the March on Washington. Lewis help start up the voter education project (VEP). During his work for the VEP, Lewis added about four million minorities to voting polls. In 1977 Lewis was asked to lead more than 250,000 volenteers of action, which is the federal volenteer agency.
John Lewis's career in stopping racism did not stop there. John Lewis is currently in the House of Representatives. He also wrote a graphic novel titled March, to inform the newer generation of kids about the civil rights movement, who didn't get to see the whole movement firsthand. John Lewis was one of the greatest people in the civil rights movement, and will always be a recognized leader in America.