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 LewisRead
Before we went on any protest, whether it was sit-ins or the freedom rides or any march, we prepared ourselves, and we were disciplined. We were committed to the way of peace - the way of non-violence - the way of love - the way of life as the way of living.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of preparation and commitment to non-violence in activism.
John Lewis reflects on the disciplined and peaceful approach taken by civil rights activists before engaging in protests. He highlights the necessity of preparing both mentally and physically to advocate for justice, promoting non-violence and love as fundamental principles in their struggle for equality and social change.
Themes
Non-ViolencePeacePeaceful ProtestCommitmentSocial JusticeActivism
In practice
Example use cases
When addressing a group of young activists, one might use this quote to inspire them to approach their causes with discipline and a commitment to non-violence.
More from John Lewis
All quotes →The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society.
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Customs, traditions, laws should be flexible, within good reason, if that is what it takes to make our democracy work.
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I say to people today, 'You must be prepared if you believe in something. If you believe in something, you have to go for it. As individuals, we may not live to see the end.'
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We need someone who is going to stand up, speak up, and speak out for the people who need help, for the people who have been discriminated against.
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If it hadn't been for that march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, there would be no Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.
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