Congressman Lewis' book is comprised of three essays on faith, patience, and peace. You have to be grounded. However, no matter what, they turned back and waited consistently every single day. Why must we, as members of the human family, immerse ourselves in the agency of turmoil and unrest to affect the evolution of humankind? The most brutal century was the twentieth century in modern history. With an engaged electorate once again confronting questions of social inequality, there's no better time to revisit the lessons of the '60s and no better leader to learn from than Congressman John Lewis. He's a person of tremendous faith and he believes that we all are brothers and sisters, that we're one people, we're one family with one house. All rights reserved. Sign up to save your library. Furthermore, at the time we approve this truth, it will be challenging to turn back to the old thinking and live comfortably with it. 800-433-8850. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the civil rights movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. Lewis's Vision for Change" is outstanding. Thank you so much. LEWISWell, you're right. Read a Sample. At its worst, it resembles an extended campaign speech: Some people have told me that I am a rare bird in the blue sky of dreamers despite every attempt to keep me down, I have not been shaken. In between these extremes is the advice of a wise uncle who has earned the right to say his peace. Good morning to you, sir. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is. Winston Churchill, Peace: Peace is softening what is rigid in our hearts. from John Lewiss Across That BridgeAuthor: Lewis, John Publisher: Hyperion Illustration: N Language: ENG . Furthermore, with exciting examples from his exceptional life, you will learn the fundamentals of all real activists. This graphic memoir tells the story of John Lewis from early childhood to his college years. At its best, the book provides a testament to the power of nonviolence in social movements, with moving personal accounts of the Freedom Rides, such as when Lewis describes being physically beaten in South Carolina or sitting out a 40-day sentence in the unrelenting Parchman Farm prison in Mississippi. Books we rate below 5 wont be summarized. He saw obviously that the disparity that governed his world was not correct. There's still too many people in our society that have been left out and left behind. The truth is more complex, and springs from Parkss faith. LEWISIt is my hope and my prayer that America will continue to move forward whatever happens, but I think there's greater possibility that the country will move forward, and the American people will move forward, with the reelection of President Barack Obama. African American legislators > Biography. But we shouldn't be going around putting people down because of their age, race, class. The recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressman Lewis has represented Georgia's Fifth Congressional District since 1986. The entire time I was reading this book, I couldn't help but wish everyone's faith was this beautiful. Analytical Youll understand the inner workings of the subject matter. I'm Diane Rehm. LEWISWell, I see all across America these brilliant, smart, gifted young people, many a young African Americans. Thank you, Diane, and an honor to be with you this morning. You go into the large urban centers. With her legendary act of nonaggressive rejection, she was aiming to test her new faith in the possibility of integration. I wanted to be able to brush my teeth. Manage Settings Owning faith is being sure about your dreams like you are about the water is being liquid and the sky is being blue. Activists in the US and all over the world look to the American civil rights movement of the 1960s for inspiration on how to challenge injustice. And I'd just like to say that my generation does seem to be faltering a bit, but I'm doing my best to tell my friends and people of my generation of the work that you've done, you know, for me particularly as an Asian American, how much you REHMAlex, Alex I'd be interested to know when you say you see your generation faltering a bit, what do you mean? (202) 885-1231 Scientific Youll get facts and figures grounded in scientific research. The bridge stretches about 1,900 feet over I-5, landing at North Seattle College on the west side and at 1st Ave NE and NE 100th St, near the Northgate Station, serving Sound Transit's Link light rail station, on the east side. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. Thanks for listening all. Across that bridge : life lessons and a vision for change by Lewis, John, 1940 February 21- . He participated in the 1960 Nashville sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, was the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to . He lived in Alabamas cotton fields where racism was how people live. We help you to meet your learning objectives. I absolutely loved this book for what is has to say about bringing truth and peace to America, and the world. Lewis devoted his life to stimulate his companion people to turn their inner sparks into fires. A helpful and/or enlightening book that is extremely well rounded, has many strengths and no shortcomings worth mentioning. I can't imagine that you wouldn't get a sense of that presence and quiet charisma, just being around them. So much wisdom, but a couple of my favorite quotes: In this jewel of a book, Rep. Lewis presents several categories which he suggests should be mastered in order to bring about meaningful change - to light the fire of a movement. Eloquent Youll enjoy a masterfully written or presented text. I found myself agreeing on much of what Rep. Lewis wrote, and I so want many others to read his vision for how to make our future better. The Congress acted. All of these aspects were put into action in the Civil Rights movement in which Mr. Lewis played such an important role. Visionary Youll get a glimpse of the future and what it might mean for you. The late Congressman John Lewis takes you to a famous bridge where civil rights activists changed history. It is thought provoking and an excellent summary of the most basic principles of non-violence. 3 Favorites. In 1961, South buses were separated according to race although there is a Supreme Court decision that disallows this. There is constant digital Good Book Summary is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The detectives get into their car and chase the dog, which ends up in the middle of the road, dangerously close to the. And it was like what I would call the essence of the beloved community. You have to say something.". "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America." Lewis speaking atop the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 1, 2020 2. However, the test was not a literacy test. Here's a question for you from Brian, who says, "The right to vote is so critically important in our nation. They are recalling or recognizing that we are one. Legislators > United States > Biography. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Copyright Interaction Institute for Social Change. It doesn't matter whether you're a billionaire, a millionaire or whether you're middle income or low income, we all have one vote. Martin Luther King Jr., as members of the Congressional Black Caucus gather for the memorial ceremony for the late . Love in action. God bless you this morning. Political analyst Basil Smikle explains why education finds itself yet again at the center of national politics. We should get all of the facts. And I was also -- wanted to talk to you and see what you thought about the generation after your movement and how just with the freedom how open their hearts and their minds became from the past. However, some people can inspire all of us. I am grateful that John Lewis shared his story and for his work in Congress. But still today not receiving the proper education to help them mold our new vision of ourselves and the way the country can be. LEWISAnd I also take the position that I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up and fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation. REHMAnd my honor. We must be the change we seek if we are to effectively demand transformation from others. This is the finding of ecologists and other scientists looking at how peripheral spaces can provide adaptive strength. Hyperion, $22.99 (192p) ISBN 978-1-4013-2411-7 Faith, patience, truth, love, peace, study, and. REHMDid the congressional black caucus come out with statements regarding the shooting, the killing of Treyvon Martin? John Lewis was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Georgia's 5th Congressional District. Summary (from Goodreads): "Although it has been decades since the historic social upheavals of the 1960s, Americans continue to look to the Civil Rights Movement as the apotheosis of political expression. Therefore, we use a set of 20 qualities to characterize each book by its strengths: Applicable Youll get advice that can be directly applied in the workplace or in everyday situations. LEWISWell, I was surprised at the statement and discussion of Mayor Booker. REHMNow, hasn't that been before this Congress? As he writes, "All of our work, all our struggle, all our days add up to one purpose: to reconcile ourselves to the truth, and finally accept once and for all that we are one people, one family, the human family, that we are all emanations of one divine source and that source is Love.". Speak up when you see something that is not fair or just. Reprinted here by permission of Knopf. In Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful society. Now 65, he and Diane revisit his provocative essay. On Sunday, the civil rights giant and congressman, who died July 17, was carried across the bridge one last time amid a . The most inspiring book I read in 2013 was Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and A Vision for Change, by Congressman and Civil Rights legend, John Lewis. Across that Bridge: A vision for change and the future for of America. The Civil Rights Movement, above all, was a work of love. I fear for the future of our country. We're better people than that. And that juxtaposition seemed to be very powerful and I wanted to get the congressman's reaction to that. It was almost like a holy march walking across that bridge, crossing the Alabama River. As a conservative and a Lutheran, I have a much lower opinion of human nature. The rising civil rights member John Lewis refined the characteristics needed to make a permanent transformation in the course of his life of activism. After many years as an activist and organizer, John Lewis served in the House of Representatives from 1987-2020. Another thing I didn't like was the middle of the book in which Lewis gave principles of the movement that should be followed today. Rep. John Lewis discusses his comic book series March in this special edition of A Word on . In addition to the threats to kill him and messages of hate, he, his spouse, and their four little kids were attacked with verbal and physical violence, bomb assaults, and even assassination trials. Let's go to Seattle, Wash. Good morning, Kareem, you're on the air. I just re-read this book for a class I'm teaching this semester on the history, philosophy, and practice of nonviolence. And he's just one of these rare human beings and he doesn't get the credit that he should be receiving. You go to Appalachia and see how many of our white brothers and sisters are living. We have lots of callers here. The trouble with reviewing an audio book, especially one that I took 6 months to list/read, is it is hard to remember things. Shadow and Bone Six of Crows Red, White & Royal Blue A Court of Thorns and Roses The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo On the Come Up Circe The Night Circus Black Voices Celebrate Black History Month with these brilliant Black authors. Rooted in the teachings of Ghandi, Kennedy, King, Mandela and other champions of non-violent activism, this book reads like a beautiful melody. We didn't give in. On "Bloody Sunday" in 1965, Lewis was beaten by Alabama state troopers. From the 12th annual National Book Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC, Congressman John Lewis discusses his book, [Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change]. Do you recall the times that Barack Obamas election is thought to be a gate to post-racial America? To register, they needed to be tested whether they can read and write. http://glose.com/book/across-that-bridge Lewis is no pie-in-the-sky hippie. When in fact, a lot of the evidence has shown exactly the opposite, that he has been tutoring blacks, that he has been bending over backwards to help them. A book from 2012 that is so appropriate at this time in our country. Published in 1993, it is narrated by Sylvie Castelli, who remembers a time when she went on a walk with her mother near the Parisian Place de la Concorde. Make sure you do well in school, pursue a degree, and work your way up the ladder of business to a comfortable life. By definition, gay rights are civil rights. Lewis, who served 17 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of the state of Georgia, is known for organizing the 1963 March on Washington and leading the first Selma to Montgomery march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday in 1965. Engaging Youll read or watch this all the way through the end. We should be examples for the American people. Bold Youll find arguments that may break with predominant views. This opening serves as a testament for where the March trilogy is headed. In the backpack I had toothpaste and toothbrush. What are some things that you are planning to do? But we don't control the majority in the House. It's a smaller book, broken up into sections on foundational lessons from Lewis's life, like "Faith," "Patience," "Peace," and "Love." And coming as it does from a civil rights hero like John Lewis, this is important information for our own time. We need to live the truthand we need to set the right example. LEWISsmart, gifted young man. Just the way we -- particularly how everything's -- everyone's reacted towards the Trayvon Lewis (sic) incident in Florida. Lewis, John, 1940 February 21-United States. He learned what his people were going through. Stay up-to-date with emerging trends in less time. I'm happy to be with you this morning. I was sitting next to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a home of a local family. In the final book published before his passing, Across That Bridge, Congressman John Lewis draws from his experience as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer timeless wisdom, poignant recollections, and powerful principles for anyone interested in challenging injustices and inspiring real change toward a freer, more peaceful The audiobook version I listened to 5 months ago is particularly suited for those who need solace from the current strife and inspiration that change is possible in the midst of the current polarized politics and emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement on the world stage. A helpful and/or enlightening book that stands out by at least one aspect, e.g. I love how devoted he was and is to nonviolent social change, how he continues to live the dream that many gave up on in the late 1960s, and his support of current civil rights issues of gay rights and educational equality. His conviction is cultivated while he is raised in the middle of the brutality and fright of the partitioned deep South. He thought rancor existed at unprecedented levels that were even not observed in the 1960s. No government, state or federal, should tell people who they can fall in love with and get married or not. They explain how he was able to face down violence and respond in a non-violent manner to people who thought he was their enemy, and later offer his opponents love and reconciliation. Our rating helps you sort the titles on your reading list from solid (5) to brilliant (10). Yesterday, President Obama and the First Family joined thousands of Americans at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to honor the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women who bled there, on that very pavement exactly 50 years ago.Many of those original "foot soldiers" joined him yesterday, including Congressman John Lewis, who helped to organize the . Technological advances have made many things easier, yet trying to concentrate has become considerably more difficult. With vivid details and a front-row perspective, Lewis, who died July 18, 2020, providesmore than a memoir about the early civil rights movement and its leaders. This may sound contrary to common-sense. King could use this money to establish a safe and sound living outside the hazardous South. It's this feeling that I've been down so long and to down and get me down. In effect, the tale was dissimilar. One thing I enjoyed in the book was all of the small biographical details about leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. LEWISThank you very much. However, today some of the leaders do not know the living conditions of the majority of Americans. Even at the highest level of our government, you see members of the Congress putting down other members, putting down the President of the United States. MS. DIANE REHMThanks for joining us. However, it was not only this. A self-help book for activists, specifically focusing on the values necessary to make change. LEWISSometimes I feel like we can do better, that we can do much better, but we must open up the political process and let all of the people come in. This movement was only a little stage on the long path to Americas intangible fate. This right was not readily available for John Lewis. The late Congressman John Lewis was a civil rights leader,best-selling author, and the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Lifetime Achievement Award. I had a great deal of reaction -- just a great deal -- I visited Koinonia Farm. So for young people, seniors, it's hard -- it'll be difficult. The late John Lewis offers his thoughts on social activism in this short book. I loved this book (read it in one sitting) and as Douglas Brinkley says in his foreward every young person should read this homily on civility. If there was ever a book I needed at a certain time, it was this one. Being from Georgia, have you had any interaction or did you during the '60s, '70s with a place in southwest Georgia that's kind of underreported in the civil rights movement known as Koinonia Farms? I was at Brown University. I have tremendous respect for John Lewis as a man of courage, principle, and action so it pains me to give him a mediocre rating. It was poisoned that we would do everything possible to win and win at any cost. "I truly believe when you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to do something. Favorable and peaceful actions just enhance and develop a place for more light. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When the police intervened, he refused to sue. KAREEMThank you, thank you very much. Thank you. We will see less. It's been a part of my makeup. 1 Review . I see some truth in his ideas, but his core beliefs are so liberal that it causes me to be a little skeptical about his practical advice. During their path throughout the South, activists were brutally attacked by crowds. Lewis paid his price by having his skull broken by the police, a run over him by horses, threatened by dogs, repelled with fire hoses, worn manacles, and put to prison. For beginners Youll find this to be a good primer if youre a learner with little or no prior experience/knowledge. Across That Bridge is worth reading for most Americans because it shines a light on an extremely important era in American history. In 1965, John Lewis was nearly killed as he led a group of protesters across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to protest racial discrimination in voting. And the story of Koinonia Farm is an untold story. REHMBut haven't Democrats used the filibuster? This book review will illuminate the vision of freedom of John Lewis, first-hand. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. These are the little lessons that the book tries to talk about -- speak about. Today, we are still racially divided although we work together and we go to school and we play, but our hearts and our minds still seem to be from the past. Hachette Book Group USA, Introduction: Some men see things as they are and say Why? I dream things that never were and say Why not? Robert F. Kennedy, Faith: Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11: 1, Patience: Without patience, we will learn less in life. We don't know how to forgive and just move ahead. In a new book titled "Across that Bridge," Congressman Lewis draws on lessons learned as a leader of the civil rights movement in the '60s, to inspire today's grass roots activists fighting for social, economic and political change. REHMAll right. He thought that we came to life to perform our abilities completely so that our possibility to glow could be seen by everyone. LEWISI thought I saw death. He also argues strongly against war as counterproductive in a way that seemed naive and simplistic. It was a strong commitment to demonstrating the truth: equality of humans is an unnegotiable right. REHMBut surely you're not saying that if President Obama loses the election that America would not continue to move forward. And our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device substance things... Seemed naive and simplistic completely so that our possibility to glow could be seen by everyone we do n't the. Social activism in this short book get married or not winston Churchill,,! 'Ll be difficult the South, activists were brutally attacked by crowds after many years as an activist and,! People, seniors, it was this one concentrate has become considerably more difficult break. 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Of Mayor Booker yet trying to concentrate has become considerably more difficult you, Diane, the... Was how people live I enjoyed in the House activists, specifically focusing on the,... Quiet charisma, just being around them seniors, it was this.! Effectively demand transformation from others principles of non-violence may attack it, ignorance may deride it ignorance! Not readily available for John Lewis from early childhood to his college years peripheral!