Dear Representative Lewis,

We immediately start off this last section of the book in an almost noir-esque scene where C.T. Vivian spoke at a rally protesting the arrest of James Orange. Immediately Alabama State Troopers are deployed and violence ensued in a horrific display of gruesome violence. We then see Jamie Lee Jackson, a veteran, crawling into darkness, seriously injured. Malcolm X then gives an inspiring quote at what we learn is Jamie Lee Jackson’s funeral. The story flashes forward to 2009 when President Obama met John Lewis, and then returns to John marching forward in 1965. We then realize its the March to Montgomery. Even more brutal violence ensues from state troopers. John Lewis was sent to the hospital and was visited by Dr. King. This entire ordeal was known as Bloody Sunday. These marches continued into what became known as “Turnaround Tuesday”. Their efforts paid off as LBJ gave a speech about civil rights that was very well received by John Lewis, and the march from Selma to Montgomery was allowed. Eventually it happened… the 1965 Voting Rights Act was set into law. 

The last quarter of this book made me feel very conflicted. Even though there perseverance paid off, it took a disproportionate amount of effort to solve a human rights issue. That level of oppression is something that is still foreign to me today, although it made me recognize how much worse it was, as voting seems like such a basic right today. I am curious who was calling at the end of the book? It was very unclear to me.

I think that today we can solve current problems by using the same perseverance shown and not taking “no” for an answer. No matter how grim a situation may look, it can always get better with hard work and passion.

Thank You,

Naveen Thourani

#JohnLewis #March #CivilRights #Voting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a584G2YXuY

Dear Representative John Lewis,

Immediately we start these pages on August 7th, 1964. We see the eulogy delivered by Dave Dennis, who is the founder of COFO. This cuts to the 1964 Republican National Convention, which has a completely different aura to it. It is shrouded in darkness, as the crowd continually boos President Johnson. The eulogy inspired hope, and was filled with light. We then see Mrs. Fannie Lou Hammer’s testimony which “shook the world”, however it was stopped short by a press conference with the sole purpose of cutting off screen time. LBJ was nominated for president. He ended up loosing the south as well. Another very important moment was when MLK was attempting to become the first African American guest at Hotel Albert but was assaulted.  You stated that was the closest you had been to ending your nonviolence.We are also introduced to Malcolm X  as well.

What was different about that moment in particular? Throughout the book, there are many moments that involve racism and violence against the African American community, yet there was not an urge for violent protest after. Freedom Day and many others could have involved the same, yet this moment was the closest in regards to violence. As I read, I was very confused as to the general attitudes of people during the press conference that cut off Mrs. Fannie Lou Hammer’s testimony as well.

The differences shown in this are a lot more political than in the other two blog posts. In order to help with these problems in the future and prevent things like this from happening again are to use social media and other proper forms of expression to speak out. Speaking out in as many forms as possible makes it such that it is harder to censor.

#Protest #JohnLewis #March #Equalityforall

Dear Representative John Lewis,

     Reading the first few pages of March: Book Three was a captivating experience. From the get-go, the audience witnesses four young girls stressed out over their parts in a performance before Sunday School. This small dialogue serves to help us connect, albeit for a short time, to the students to humanize them. Before we can process this dialogue, we are hit with the explosion of the Church, as claustrophobic smoke envelopes the entirety of the page. Soon all that’s left is a small circle of light surrounded by a much larger vignette of black. We continue to see the horrid actions of white supremacists, as shown by the illustrations of the killings of Virgil Lamar Ware and Johnny Robinson. We are introduced to the leading players of the Civil Rights Movement, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Julian Bond, and Diane Nash. We then see you, John Lewis, shaking hands with former President Barack Obama.

     As I read this excerpt, I was horrified at the actions of these white supremacists. The audience was led to believe that the Church was a safe place, free of negativity, yet we witnessed four innocent children blown up due to the actions of a few. I am curious as to why the bombing occurred only a few pages into the book, rather than after the introduction of the various key players. What was the significance of introducing Dr. King, Julian Bond, etc. in a time of immense crisis? In order to fight and prevent history from repeating itself, we must educate the public about the past. Books like yours serve as a reminder of these horrid events, and the solutions proposed in the past. Education is imperative for the betterment of society.

Thank You,

Naveen Thourani

#JohnLewis #March #CivilRights #Equality