Good TROUBLE

Representing Atlanta, Georgia and disadvantaged people everywhere, John Lewis, dubbed the Conscience of the House, at his office in DC, July 2020. (Andrea Mohin/NYT)

March 7, 1965, John Lewis, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee is struck by an officer breaking up a civil rights voting march in Selma, Alabama. (AP Photo/file)

The first time I saw John Lewis he was on his knees, one hand on his head the other warding off an incoming blow from an officer sent to interrupt a non-violent protest; a march. One of many Mr. Lewis would participate in over 60 years of his 80 on earth.
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Later I’d learn that he had bought a 3-piece suit for that march, $5 at a local Nashville store, intent on looking sharp as he fought for his people’s rights, and he did. I’d also learn that decades later when the same officer who left a permanent dent in his head before arresting him in that bloodied suit, had a change of heart and offered an apology, Mr. Lewis not only accepted but met him with a hug.
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Good trouble he called it; necessary trouble. Man oh man do I love those words. Good. Trouble. Good trouble, necessary trouble. His trademark.
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It bothered me to see him marching with a limp after the debacles of #Trayvon and Micheal Brown on behalf of #BLM. That more than 50 years after he began this fight for societal equity, he still had to march seemed shameful to me, but didn’t seem to bother him. Marching one hour, swaying to #Happy by #Pharrell the next and crowd surfing on #Colbert the day after. Amazing!
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Arrested 45 times before he was elected as a representative from Georgia aka the “conscience” of the House, then 5 times after, and having marched on the Edmund Pettus bridge in Alabama with both #MLK and #Obama has had me musing on him for years but even more since May 25, since 8:46. Soon after which I signed the petition to rename the Edmund Pettus bridge after him and commented publicly that it was long overdue, that I couldn’t wait to see him walk that bridge once more with his name on it instead of a confederate general’s, and to finally shake his hand, look into his historic eyes, even if for just a moment. So much for my optimism given his diagnosis.
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At least he got to experience one more historic #march before checking out. He was there to witness the establishment of BLM plaza. Even with a face mask on, you could tell he was happy with DC Mayor Bowser’s eloquent use of authority & yellow paint. Good Trouble.
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Rest now Mr. Lewis, we’ll take it from here.
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#johnlewis #goodtrouble