“[O]ur revolt was as much against the traditional black leadership structure as it was against segregation and discrimination.”
John Lewis“It is worth starting with visions, though, because they establish hopes and fears. History then determines which prevail.”
John Lewis Gaddis“The March on Washington was a March for Jobs and Freedom. There are still too many people who are unemployed or underemployed in America - they're black, white, Latino, Native American and Asian American.”
John Lewis“The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society.”
John Lewis“Not one of us can rest, be happy, be at home, be at peace with ourselves, until we end hatred and division.”
John Lewis“The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. made me very, very sad, and I mourned and I cried like many of our citizens did.”
John Lewis“Without prayer, without faith in the Almighty, the civil rights movement would have been like a bird without wings.”
John Lewis“I travel all the time, but when I come back to the South, I see such progress. In a real sense, a great deal of the South has been redeemed. People feel freer, more complete, more whole, because of what happened in the movement.”
John Lewis“We all live in the same house, we all must be part of the effort to hold down our little house. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just... do something about it. Say something. Have the courage. Have the backbone. Get in the way. Walk with the wind. It's all going to work out.”
John Lewis“The action of Rosa Parks, the words and leadership of Dr. King inspired me. I was deeply inspired. I wanted to do something.”
John Lewis