John Lewis Turning Points

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi. Through the course of his life, John Lewis experienced some key turning points that shaped him into becoming the determined and brave leader he was. Lewis was not alone during these major events as several people, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and Jim Lawson, helped him during these times and expanded his knowledge. The trilogy March demonstrates some of these turning points in books one and two, those being his first bible, spiritual journey, the non-violent workshops, and arrests. John Lewis’ passion for preaching began at the age of four when his uncle gave him his first bible, which would have an enormous impact in his life. This bible would start his journey as
He wanted to do more than preaching and talk for others and so Lewis met a man named Jim Lawson, who would conduct the non-violent workshops. The Non-violent workshops would consist of peaceful protest would show that there is a way of fighting for equal rights in a correct manner. Lawson was committed to the development of Lewis’ as well as other volunteer’s philosophy, discipline, and understanding towards all evil. (Lewis and Aydin 77 book 1) A few days after Lewis met Jim Lawson they began preparing for their first lunch counter sit-ins. Lawson said that everyone needed to learn how to protect themselves because at lunch counters, they might be verbally or physically abused. Every volunteer made each other feel dehumanized by breaking spirits. Throughout this brutal process, they kept faith in the power of Love and nonviolence (Lewis and Aydin 80). When they began their first counter sit-ins they knew they would not be served but they would not respond in a violent way. First, they’d ask to be served and if they were not served, they would call the manager and most likely they would have to walk out without being fed. All they received was racist attacks from customers and employees. The volunteers were threatened to be removed by police the next time they did a sit-in at a counter. “We knew we couldn’t let the threat of violence stop us. We were going to sit-in” stated Lewis
Lewis decided they would do stand-ins at movie theaters and similar to lunch counter sit-ins employees and managers from businesses refused to help them. Although they did not do any illegal action the police intervened and had to take all volunteers who were doing the stand-ins. “Theaters refused to sell tickets to people of color and they decided “we refused to post bail” (Lewis and Aydin 25 Book 2). Lewis knew any unjust arrest would not be supported and that is why they did not pay any fines. Another unjust arrest happened when King was planning a freedom ride and they continued to struggle because of the racist’s attacks. The police officers held the riders in a church but were released later that morning around 4:30 a.m. On May 24, 1961, they realized they were going to be taken to jail. They could not keep 27 riders in prison so on June 15, 1961, they were sent to Mississippi State Penitentary. They were humiliated, or as Lewis said, “It was dehumanizing”. They were asked to take off all clothes and shave their facial hair and they felt as though the officers were stripping off their dignity (Lewis and Aydin 103 Book 2). Singing and the comfort of each other kept the riders sane. They stayed strong until the day they were released. Lewis states, “The fare was aid in blood, but freedom rides stirred the national consciousness and awoke the hearts and minds of a generation” (Lewis and Aydin 109