Category Archives: march

The Final Goodbye

Posted on by

0

Dear John Lewis,

What it looks like when Black people unite.

As I finished reading the final pages to your book I am feeling a wave of emotions. It saddens me that innocent lives were lost at the hands of discrimination, racism, and hatred towards a group of people who were just fighting for the simply right to vote. I realized that although this was the purpose of this fight, it symbolized so much more than just suffrage. You and your colleagues started a fight that should not have ever had to happen, yet due to the stereotypical and deeply rooted thoughts that dehumanized, belittled, and exploited African Americans, the fight was fought long and hard. Throughout the book the pictures that filled the page were in black and white yet the pain and dreams of you and your peers were bolded in color. You did an amazing job at presenting history through such vivid images. Tears of joy filled my eyes when you finally met the First African American President of the United States of America, Mr. Barack Obama. It was evident that President Obama was a physical representation of all of your hard work. I can only imagine the wave of emotions you were feeling in that very moment. Now I know what you are thinking; I know we still have ways to go. I know that we will refuse to settle for anything less than what we deserve. After reading your book, I have been exposed to more knowledge and I intend to continue your fight. 

Thank you and Goodbye Mr. Lewis.

Nia Mack 

Change

Posted on by

0

Dear John Lewis,

I do not think I will ever read about our history and feel my body getting heated as I am overcome with rage and anger. To really read first hand about what you and our people went through just to gain their basic rights is absurd. Our people were looking for help in the government to grant them their voting rights while the government was doing everything in their power to deny this request. So the million dollar question is WHY are we asking the same government that promotes and was founded on “liberty and freedom for all” to granted us our basic human rights. Why is it even a question that you should treat everyone with respect? Why should the color of someone’s skin, something they CANNOT  control nor change effect how they are treated? And with all the research and evaluation, the answer is very clear. How can you ask for rights if you are not considered as equal to White people? 

Fist in the air= a salute to Blacks.

Black power.

So yes the narrative has changed since the 1960s but it’s not perfect. To most we are STILL looked at as inferior, we are STILL being dehumanized, we are STILL being painted as a threat because the color of our skin, and we are STILL being discriminated in the legal system. Police brutality is real, misrepresentation of Black people in the media is real, rigid stereotypes given to Black people are real, mass incarceration of Black people is real, all of these problems are real and are dire need of change. 

MARCH

Posted on by

0

Dear Mr. Lewis,

I physically, mentally, nor emotionally put into words the feelings I had when I read another part of your book. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to remain peaceful through all the struggles you and our people faced. It was inspiring reading about Frannie Lou Hamer and learning how a Black woman was an activist who risked her life in hopes of change for out people. Reading about the three volunteers who “went missing” reminded me that the change that you and many others were fighting for 60 years ago was just the beginning. Today we are STILL fighting police brutality as we see our Black brothers and sisters being dehumanized and killed at the hands of corrupt officers because we can seem to make them understand that the color of skin is not a weapon. So what are some possible solutions you ask? Well, I believe with the right education to our Black community, especially the youth, we can rewrite some of the outcomes of police brutality. However the real change needs to be within the corrupt system. In this generation we have the power to use social media for good for a change. We must educate ourselves, unite together and continue to fight for change. 

Sincerely, 

 

Nia Mack

P.S.: Still have a dream. 

Keep Fighting

Posted on by

0

Dear Mr. John Lewis,
I have only read 27 pages thus far in your book March and I am speechless. Learning about the hardships African Americans faced during the fight for equality always sparked my interest, however, your book was a whole other level of powerful. In the opening I loved how you portrayed the girls’ innocent conversation in contrast to how violent their conversation ended. I loved how as the series of events continued to unfold, you showed the different reactions and thoughts of influential leaders as they came together to discuss solutions to these problems. There was a constant debate of how to proceed because not everyone agreed that a peaceful, nonviolent approach was best in this situation. However, the biggest lingering question I have had all my life to any Black person to experience this kind of public disp is how is your first reaction to fight for change peaceful? I completely understand the logic of planning peaceful marches and protests to convey your message, but how exactly does one stay calm and peaceful as they are getting beaten by White police officers or spit on by white customers in the local diner while the waiters refuse to serve them or forced to use a different bathroom because the color of their skin is not seen as valuable enough to release their waste in the same room as White people? Reading books like this makes me angry, angry that my people had to go through this bullshit, angry that color matters AND STILL MATTERS. Mr. Lewis you are an inspiration and this book was to remind us how the fight started and it is a wake up that we need to continue this fight. So yes, I accept your challenge to continue the fight.
Sincerely,
Nia Mack