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While my time here has now come to an end,
I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my
life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next
chapter of the great American story when you used your
power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people
motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens
of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race,
class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.
I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my
life you inspired me. You filled me with hope about the next
chapter of the great American story when you used your
power to make a difference in our society. Millions of people
motivated simply by human compassion laid down the burdens
of division. Around the country and the world you set aside race,
class, age, language and nationality to demand respect for human dignity.
That is why I had to visit Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington,
though I was admitted to the hospital the following day. I just had to
see and feel it for myself that, after many years of silent witness,
the truth is still marching on.
though I was admitted to the hospital the following day. I just had to
see and feel it for myself that, after many years of silent witness,
the truth is still marching on.
Emmett Till was my George Floyd. He was my Rayshard Brooks,
Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. He was 14 when he was killed,
and I was only 15 years old at the time. I will never ever forget the
moment when it became so clear that he could easily have been me.
In those days, fear constrained us like an imaginary prison, and
troubling thoughts of potential brutality committed for no understandable
reason were the bars.
Sandra Bland and Breonna Taylor. He was 14 when he was killed,
and I was only 15 years old at the time. I will never ever forget the
moment when it became so clear that he could easily have been me.
In those days, fear constrained us like an imaginary prison, and
troubling thoughts of potential brutality committed for no understandable
reason were the bars.
Though I was surrounded by two loving parents, plenty of brothers,
sisters and cousins, their love could not protect me from the
unholy oppression waiting just outside that family circle.
Unchecked, unrestrained violence and government-sanctioned
terror had the power to turn a simple stroll to the store for some
Skittles or an innocent morning jog down a lonesome country road
into a nightmare. If we are to survive as one unified nation, we
must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob
Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best,
shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the
hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain.
sisters and cousins, their love could not protect me from the
unholy oppression waiting just outside that family circle.
Unchecked, unrestrained violence and government-sanctioned
terror had the power to turn a simple stroll to the store for some
Skittles or an innocent morning jog down a lonesome country road
into a nightmare. If we are to survive as one unified nation, we
must discover what so readily takes root in our hearts that could rob
Mother Emanuel Church in South Carolina of her brightest and best,
shoot unwitting concertgoers in Las Vegas and choke to death the
hopes and dreams of a gifted violinist like Elijah McClain.
Like so many young people today, I was searching for a way out, or
some might say a way in, and then I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and
discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate
injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He
said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out.
When you see something that is not right, you must say something.
You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and
each generation must do its part to help build what we called the
Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.
some might say a way in, and then I heard the voice of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. on an old radio. He was talking about the philosophy and
discipline of nonviolence. He said we are all complicit when we tolerate
injustice. He said it is not enough to say it will get better by and by. He
said each of us has a moral obligation to stand up, speak up and speak out.
When you see something that is not right, you must say something.
You must do something. Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and
each generation must do its part to help build what we called the
Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself.
Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of
America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.
Voting and participating in the democratic process are key.
The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a
democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.
America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.
Voting and participating in the democratic process are key.
The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a
democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.
You must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity
has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time.
People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and
centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers
worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time.
Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because
we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others.
has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time.
People on every continent have stood in your shoes, through decades and
centuries before you. The truth does not change, and that is why the answers
worked out long ago can help you find solutions to the challenges of our time.
Continue to build union between movements stretching across the globe because
we must put away our willingness to profit from the exploitation of others.
Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of
your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I
can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence
is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I
can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence
is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.
When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century,
let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens
of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression
and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and
let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.
let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens
of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression
and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and
let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.
John Lewis, the civil rights leader and congressman who died on July 17, wrote this essay shortly before his death.
Read more about civil rights leader John Lewis and his legacy
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.
Photograph of John Lewis by David Deal/Redux
A version of this article appears in print on
July 30, 2020
, Section A, Page 23 of the New York edition with the headline: Together, You Can Redeem the Soul Of Our Nation. Order Reprints | Today’s Paper | Subscribe
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