Introduction
John Lewis was a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and a longtime U.S. Congressman who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice, equality, and human rights. In his book "Across That Bridge," Lewis reflects on the lessons and principles that guided the civil rights movement and offers wisdom for how we can continue to build a more just and inclusive society today.
Drawing on his extraordinary experiences as a key leader alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Lewis provides a deeply personal and inspiring account of the philosophy of nonviolence and the power of faith, love, and perseverance in the face of oppression. Through vivid stories and hard-won insights, he illuminates timeless truths about activism, social change, and the ongoing struggle for human dignity.
At a time when our world seems more divided than ever, Lewis's message of hope, unity, and peaceful resistance is one we urgently need to hear. His vision of freedom and equality continues to light the way forward for a new generation of activists and changemakers.
The Power of People United for Change
One of the central themes Lewis explores is how ordinary people coming together with shared purpose and determination can create extraordinary change, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. He uses the example of the historic Selma to Montgomery march to illustrate this principle in action.
On March 7, 1965, Lewis led a group of peaceful protesters in an attempt to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. Their goal was to march to the state capitol to protest voter discrimination against African Americans. As they reached the top of the bridge, they were confronted by hundreds of state troopers and deputized citizens armed with tear gas, nightsticks, and firearms.
What followed was a brutal assault on the nonviolent marchers. Dozens were beaten, including Lewis himself who suffered a fractured skull. The violence shocked the nation and became known as "Bloody Sunday."
Yet for Lewis, this dark moment ultimately demonstrated the unstoppable power of people united for justice. The brutality in Selma galvanized support for the Voting Rights Act, which was passed later that year. It showed that even in the face of vicious opposition, peaceful protesters standing firm in their convictions could shine a light on injustice and move the moral arc of the nation.
Lewis sees echoes of this people power in more recent movements like the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, and Black Lives Matter. While progress may seem slow and the challenges daunting, he reminds us that transformative change is possible when everyday citizens join together, stay true to their principles, and refuse to give up.
The Importance of Unwavering Faith
For Lewis, having deep, unshakable faith in your convictions is one of the most crucial qualities an activist can possess. He describes this faith as being as confident in your beliefs and vision for a better world as you are that the sky is blue or water is wet. This bedrock of certainty gives activists the strength to persevere through hardship and opposition.
Lewis's own faith was forged growing up in the segregated South, where he witnessed daily injustices and inequality. He came to see that the system of racial discrimination was based on falsehoods and faulty logic. Once he and other activists were able to see through these man-made notions designed to keep them down, they found tremendous strength in their faith in equality and human dignity.
This faith allowed Lewis and his fellow activists to withstand physical violence, arrests, and constant threats without wavering from their commitment to nonviolence. The more brutality they faced, the stronger their conviction became that their cause was just and that love would ultimately triumph over hate.
By the time Lewis stood on the Edmund Pettus Bridge facing down armed troopers, his faith had become so unshakable that he felt no fear. He knew in his heart that their opponents' weapons and intimidation tactics were powerless against the righteous struggle for freedom and equality.
This unwavering faith continues to be a vital resource for activists today confronting systemic injustice and oppression. When we are rooted in the certainty of our deepest values and vision for a better world, we find the courage and resilience to keep pushing forward even when change seems impossible.
The Power of Patience and Persistence
While activism is often associated with bold, decisive action, Lewis emphasizes that patience can be an equally powerful force for change. The long struggle for voting rights during the civil rights era exemplifies how patient, persistent effort can wear down even the most entrenched opposition.
Although the 15th Amendment theoretically gave African Americans the right to vote in 1870, Southern states used a variety of tactics to prevent black citizens from exercising this right well into the 1960s. In Alabama, measures like literacy tests, poll taxes, and arbitrary closures of registration offices effectively disenfranchised most African Americans.
Faced with these unjust barriers, Lewis and other activists made the strategic choice to simply wait in line, day after day, to register to vote. For two years, black citizens in Selma showed up at the registrar's office, patiently waiting their turn even as they faced verbal abuse, arrests, and violence.
This patient persistence accomplished several things. It highlighted the absurdity and cruelty of the discriminatory voting laws. It demonstrated the deep commitment of African Americans to participate in democracy. And it slowly but surely broke down the resistance of local officials.
The peaceful waiting in Selma played a crucial role in building support for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant pieces of civil rights legislation in American history. By patiently insisting on their rights day after day, activists were able to achieve a monumental victory that decades of more confrontational tactics had failed to secure.
This principle of patient persistence remains relevant for modern-day movements seeking systemic change. While dramatic protests and direct actions have their place, the unglamorous work of showing up consistently over long periods of time can be equally if not more impactful. Change often happens not in sudden breakthroughs, but through the steady erosion of injustice by those willing to keep pushing forward day after day.
The Importance of Education and Understanding
For Lewis, one of the keys to effective activism is developing a deep understanding of the issues you're fighting for through careful study and reflection. He emphasizes that the accomplishments of the civil rights movement were only possible because its leaders spent years devoted to rigorous learning and preparation.
Lewis himself grew up in the segregated South where racism was simply a fact of life. But he was driven to understand why his world was the way it was. He voraciously read every newspaper and book he could get his hands on, studying history, political theory, and philosophy to develop his understanding of justice and equality.
Similarly, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spent years studying theology, philosophy, and social theory, earning a PhD in the process. This academic foundation allowed him to articulate the moral case for civil rights with unparalleled eloquence and authority when he was called to leadership.
But formal academic study isn't the only path to understanding. Lewis believed we can also arrive at truth simply by paying close attention to the world around us and the lived experiences of others. He was critical of modern leaders who seemed disconnected from the daily struggles of ordinary Americans around issues like poverty, unemployment, and lack of healthcare access.
For Lewis, the fundamental truth that emerged from his lifelong study and observation was the interconnectedness of all people. He came to see that the idea of racial difference was an artificial construct, and that what affects one group ultimately affects all of humanity.
This emphasis on education and understanding remains crucial for activists today. Taking the time to deeply study the roots of injustice, learn from history, and listen to diverse perspectives allows us to develop more nuanced and effective approaches to creating change. It also helps us articulate our vision in ways that can win hearts and minds.
Aligning Actions with Values
While developing a strong intellectual and moral foundation is crucial, Lewis stresses that this understanding must be paired with concrete action to make a real difference in the world. He emphasizes the importance of organizing actions that manifest the core values and humanity of your cause.
Lewis points to Dr. King as a model of someone who went beyond powerful words to embody his message through his actions. When King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he was awarded a substantial cash prize of over $50,000 (nearly half a million in today's dollars). Despite facing constant threats and attacks on his family, King chose to donate the entire sum to further the civil rights cause rather than using it to improve his own security and comfort.
This selfless act powerfully demonstrated the movement's underlying message of love and sacrifice for the greater good. It showed that King and other leaders were willing to put the needs of the community above their own personal interests.
Lewis argues that it was this alignment between words and deeds that gave the civil rights movement its moral authority and allowed it to accomplish so much in a relatively short time. In just 12 years, activists were able to dismantle centuries-old systems of legalized segregation and discrimination in the most powerful country on earth.
The principle of matching actions to values remains vitally important for modern activists and movements. It's not enough to simply proclaim lofty ideals - we must find ways to tangibly demonstrate our commitment to those ideals through our choices and behaviors. This builds credibility and inspires others to join the cause.
Lewis also notes that unjust systems persist only because people give their tacit consent through inaction or passive acceptance. As soon as enough people begin to actively withdraw their consent and cooperation, these systems begin to crumble. Our individual and collective choices have more power than we often realize.
The Transformative Power of Nonviolence
One of the core principles Lewis returns to again and again is the incredible power of nonviolent resistance in the face of hatred and oppression. He argues that responding to violence with love rather than retaliation is the ultimate way to break cycles of hatred and create lasting change.
Lewis's commitment to nonviolence was put to the test countless times throughout his activism. As one of the original Freedom Riders in 1961, he faced brutal mob violence as the integrated group of protesters rode buses through the segregated South. In Rock Hill, South Carolina, Lewis was beaten to the ground and viciously kicked. Yet he never raised a hand against his attackers, even in self-defense.
This choice to meet hatred with love and dignity had a profound impact. By peacefully enduring violence without retaliating, Lewis and other activists were able to expose the moral bankruptcy of the segregationist system. Their nonviolent resistance released African Americans from feelings of inferiority while also freeing white Southerners from the burden of hate.
The transformative potential of this approach was powerfully illustrated 40 years after the Rock Hill attack, when one of Lewis's former attackers, a former Klansman named Elwin Wilson, called to apologize. This reconciliation may never have been possible if Lewis had responded with violence or pressed charges at the time. His choice to forgive created the space for his attacker to eventually recognize his wrongdoing and seek redemption.
For Lewis, this exemplified how nonviolent love is more powerful than any weapon in breaking down barriers between people and healing societal wounds. While it requires tremendous courage and discipline, he believed it was the surest path to creating beloved community and lasting justice.
In our current era of polarization and conflict, Lewis's message about the transformative power of nonviolence is more relevant than ever. Responding to hatred and aggression with love and dignity may seem counterintuitive, but it has the potential to disarm our opponents and open hearts in ways that confrontation never could.
Shining Your Light as Radical Activism
While Lewis's life demonstrates the tremendous sacrifices often required in the struggle for justice, he emphasizes that we all have the power to make a difference simply by fully expressing our unique gifts and letting our inner light shine.
Lewis believed that every person has a divine spark within them - their own special light and set of talents. Our purpose in life is to fan that spark into a flame and share our gifts with the world. When we do this, we inspire others to recognize and cultivate their own potential.
This idea of empowering individuals to shine their light connects to the broader goals of democracy and human rights that Lewis fought for throughout his life. He saw America's founding vision as creating the conditions for each citizen to freely pursue their dreams and contribute their gifts to society.
The civil rights movement advanced this vision by challenging the false notion that some people's light shines brighter than others based on race. While important strides were made, Lewis recognized that the struggle to create true equality of opportunity is ongoing.
He saw modern activist movements like Occupy, Black Lives Matter, and others as continuing this fight to create a society where everyone can fully express their humanity and potential. By showing up to shine their own light, these activists create more space for others to do the same.
Lewis argues that letting our light shine is itself a radical act in a world that often seeks to dim our spirits. When we fully embrace and share our gifts, we push back against forces of oppression and division. Our positive actions create ripple effects that allow more light to enter the world.
This framing offers an empowering vision of activism that goes beyond traditional protest. While not everyone may be willing or able to risk arrest or physical harm, we can all find ways to more fully express our unique talents in service of creating a more just and vibrant world. Our individual choices to shine our light protect and expand the power of human potential.
Bridging Divides and Building Beloved Community
Throughout the book, Lewis returns to Dr. King's vision of creating the "beloved community" - a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love for one's fellow human beings. He saw this as the ultimate goal that all of their activism was in service of.
For Lewis, one of the key steps in building beloved community is learning to see past surface-level differences to recognize our shared humanity and interconnectedness. He emphasizes that the idea of separate races is a man-made construct, and that what affects one group ultimately affects all of humanity.
This understanding allowed Lewis to approach even his fiercest opponents with compassion and an openness to reconciliation. His willingness to forgive his attackers and work alongside former segregationists in Congress demonstrated the possibility of bridging even the deepest divides.
Lewis was deeply concerned about the increasing polarization and rancor in modern American politics and society. He saw it as a step backward from the progress made during the civil rights era in breaking down barriers between people.
Yet he remained hopeful that Americans would ultimately remember that we are one people and one family. He saw signs of this in the reawakening of civic engagement and activism in recent years. For Lewis, these movements echoed the "mighty wind" of the civil rights era that transformed the moral character of the nation.
Lewis offers several key principles for those seeking to bridge divides and build beloved community today:
- Recognize our fundamental interconnectedness and shared humanity
- Approach even those we disagree with from a place of love and compassion
- Be willing to forgive and create space for redemption and reconciliation
- Find common ground and shared values even across differences
- Create opportunities for meaningful dialogue and human connection
- Work to dismantle systems of oppression while still seeing the humanity in those who uphold them
By putting these principles into practice in our daily lives and activism, we can begin to heal societal wounds and move closer to the vision of beloved community. This is not easy work, but Lewis's life demonstrates that incredible progress is possible when we remain committed to this path.
Carrying the Torch Forward
In the final sections of the book, Lewis reflects on the progress made since the height of the civil rights movement while also acknowledging how much work remains to be done. He is clear-eyed about the backsliding and new challenges that have emerged, from attempts to restrict voting rights to persistent economic inequality and systemic racism.
Yet Lewis remains fundamentally hopeful about the future and our capacity to continue bending the arc of history toward justice. He sees today's young activists as carrying forward the torch that was lit by the civil rights movement, fighting many of the same battles with new energy and tactics.
He offers several key pieces of advice and encouragement for the new generation of changemakers:
- Study history and learn from past movements, but don't be afraid to innovate new approaches
- Stay true to core principles like nonviolence and human dignity, even when facing fierce opposition
- Be willing to get in "good trouble" - making principled stands even when it's uncomfortable or risky
- Build broad coalitions across different groups and issues
- Cultivate patience and persistence - change often happens slowly but steady effort pays off
- Take care of your spiritual and emotional wellbeing to sustain you for the long haul
- Never lose faith in the power of ordinary people to create extraordinary change
Lewis emphasizes that the work of creating a more just and equitable society is a relay race, with each generation passing the baton to the next. While we may not see the full fruits of our efforts in our lifetimes, every action we take moves us closer to the beloved community.
He challenges each of us to find our own unique role in this ongoing struggle - to identify our gifts and passions and channel them into creating positive change. Whether through political engagement, community organizing, education, art, or simply treating others with more compassion in our daily lives, we all have the power to contribute to a better world.
Lewis's life stands as a powerful testament to the impact that one committed individual can have. From a childhood as the son of sharecroppers to helping shape landmark civil rights legislation to serving in Congress for over 30 years, he never stopped working to make his vision of a just and inclusive America a reality.
As we face the challenges of our own era, we would do well to heed Lewis's call to get in "good trouble" and keep pushing America to live up to its highest ideals. His example reminds us that with courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to justice, ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.
Conclusion
"Across That Bridge" offers a profound and deeply personal exploration of the principles that guided the civil rights movement and their continued relevance for social change today. Through powerful stories and hard-won wisdom, John Lewis illuminates timeless truths about the power of nonviolence, the importance of faith and perseverance, and our shared responsibility to build a more just world.
At a time when our society feels more divided than ever, Lewis's message of hope, unity, and peaceful resistance is one we urgently need to hear. He reminds us that the work of creating beloved community is ongoing, requiring each new generation to take up the torch and push America closer to living up to its highest ideals.
While the challenges we face may seem daunting, Lewis's extraordinary life stands as a testament to how much progress is possible when ordinary people come together with shared purpose and unwavering commitment to their principles. His example calls each of us to examine how we can use our own unique gifts to shine a light in the darkness and help bend the arc of history toward justice.
As we navigate the complexities of our modern world, we would do well to carry forward Lewis's core insights:
- Have faith in the power of nonviolent love to transform even the most entrenched systems of oppression
- Cultivate deep understanding through study and listening to diverse perspectives
- Take principled action that aligns with your deepest values
- Build broad coalitions across lines of difference
- Stay persistent in the face of setbacks, knowing that change often comes slowly
- Never lose sight of our fundamental interconnectedness and shared humanity
By embodying these principles in our own lives and work, we honor Lewis's legacy and continue the vital work of building the beloved community he envisioned. Though the journey may be long, his life shows us that incredible change is possible when we join together in the spirit of love, justice, and unwavering hope for a better future.