Author bio
John Lewis (1940–2020) was a Civil Rights icon and U.S. Congressman who served Georgia’s 5th district from 1987 until his death. Born into poverty in rural Alabama, Lewis aspired to be a preacher before joining the Civil Rights Movement as a student.
- He became one of the original 13 Freedom Riders and faced violence while helping to integrate interstate bus travel.
- As chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Lewis was one of the movement’s youngest, bravest, and most influential leaders.
- At 23, he was the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington and played a key role in historic protests, including Selma's "Bloody Sunday."
- After the movement, Lewis fostered voting rights, led the Voter Education Project, and was a respected voice for justice in Congress, earning the nickname "the conscience of Congress". (Perplexity Pro)
Thematic Book Discussion Questions
- How does John Lewis use the metaphor to talk about citizenship and social responsibility? What does this suggest about strengthening communities and making a difference?
- How did nonviolent resistance shape Lewis’s approach to activism and leadership within the Civil Rights Movement?
- What changes did Lewis observe in himself, and the country, from his childhood through the end of the book?
- In what ways do Lewis’s experiences resonate with ongoing struggles for civil rights and social justice today?
- Beyond leaders like Lewis, who else was vital to the movement’s success? How does he frame the importance of ordinary, “unseen” people? (Perplexity Pro)
