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
Early on, I wrote a letter to the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. I was 17. I felt called, moved.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the importance of taking initiative and acting on one's convictions, especially when inspired by great leaders.
John Lewis recalls a pivotal moment from his youth when he felt a strong sense of calling to reach out to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., highlighting the power of personal conviction and the impact of influential figures. It emphasizes how young people can be inspired to take action for social justice and the significance of courage in voicing one's beliefs.
Themes
CourageActionInspirationLeadershipYouth
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a youth rally, one might cite this quote to encourage young people to take initiative in social justice.
More from John Lewis
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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.
John LewisRead
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