The Civil Rights Movement In John Lewis The March Trilogy

In the 1960’s the civil rights movement reached its highest potential. The civil rights movement demanded equality for those of color. It was a series of protests and movements. It was a tough time for those who were of color. In the March Trilogy written by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and illustrated by Nate Powell, it uncovers an abundance of history during the civil rights movement era. The March Trilogy is about John Lewis’ life between 1940’s when he was a kid through 2009, Barrack Obama’s inauguration. The book covers racism, brutality, protests, and unequal rights towards people of color. The March Trilogy credits many important people and events in Lewis’ life. While John Lewis encountered many important people in his life, the most

significant individuals that influenced his character were his Uncle Otis, Martin Luther King Jr, and Jim Lawson. John Lewis made a vast impact on the civil rights movements because of those people. To think it all started from a very young age.
Uncle Otis was the most important person who swayed him on the right path from a very young age, while Lewis lived in a 110-acre farm in Alabama with his family.

Lewis states, “An uncle gave me a bible for Christmas when I was four…” (Lewis & Aydin 1:26). Lewis doesn’t mention what uncle gave him the bible but in hindsight, it reflects on Uncle Otis. The bible gift inspires Lewis to want to preach even if it was to his chickens on the farm. Lewis acknowledges, “Uncle Otis had always taken a special interest in me… not just with my school work, but with the way I generally acted.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:37). In other words, Uncle Otis took the time to go the extra mile to make sure Lewis was always in good moral. Uncle Otis seemed to be there for Lewis in a way that his family couldn’t be. Lewis didn’t think much of him until he made a trip to Buffalo, NY with him. John Lewis later emphasizes, “But other members of my family helped open my eyes…Otis Carter… arranged the journey. He planned it completely for my sake.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:36). Uncle Otis took massive interest in assuring that Lewis was aware of his surroundings. I felt like Uncle Otis saw a lot of potential in Lewis to take that much interest in him. Uncle Otis assured himself that Lewis knew another world other than the farm he grew up on. When they got to Buffalo Lewis mentions, “They have white people living next door to them. On both sides.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:43). Lewis was astonished to see the vast difference, to

see how integrated people of color could live in harmony. As soon Lewis arrived back home he started noticing and comparing the differences. He comments sadly, “After that trip, home never felt the same, and neither did I.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:47). He was filled with sorrow, like something was missing, he had witness the change yet was back home where things were the same. Everything was segregated. Uncle Otis helped shape John Lewis’ character by giving him a bible, taking interest in him, his morality, and by opening his eyes. This led Lewis to take special interest in his church.
Another vital person that influenced him was the famous Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK was famous for preaching, sit-ins, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, speeches, and was an important figure in the civil rights movement. MLK influenced him before he even met him. Lewis had heard him on the radio speaking about the social gospel and mentions, “Dr. Kings message hit me like a bolt of lightning…and I felt like he was preaching directly to me.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:56). Lewis states that his message strung him hard. He was referring to the principles the church implied on the civil rights movement, they called it the social gospel. Since Lewis took interest in MLK he did what was natural and wanted to learn more. He says, “I went to the school library on Monday to find out everything I could about this man.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:56). It was clear he saw Martin Luther King as a role model and wanted to know as much as he could. He adds, “Dr. King’s example showed me it was possible to do more as a minister than what I had witnessed in my own church. I was inspired.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:59). MLK opened Lewis’ eyes too, by showing him it was possible to do many things as a minister. Not only what he saw at his local church. Lewis saw this as a sign and wanted to do more and follow his example. Dr. King influenced him with out knowing him at the time by his actions and beliefs in the civil rights movement. Lewis soon reflected off MLK, which led him to preach.
Lastly but certainly not least was Jim Lawson. Lewis met Jim Lawson in 1958 attending a non-violent workshop at the First Baptist Church in Nashville. Lewis was a student in Nashville at the time. He was one of the few who attended Jim Lawson’s workshop that day. Lawson believed in non-violent protesting to fight the evils. The evils of racism, poverty, and war. John Lewis notes, “Jim Lawson conveyed the urgency of developing our philosophy, our discipline, our understanding” (Lewis & Aydin 1:77). In other words, he explains the need the world desired to stop the evils. The urgency to do something about the problem they faced today. The evils of racism. Lewis adds, “His words liberated me. I thought, this is it… This is the way out.” (Lewis & Aydin 1:78). He see’s Jim Lawson’s words as a solution to his problems. The problems of discrimination. Lewis soon applies the teachings of Jim Lawson to do many non-violent protests such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and stand-ins at local movie theaters. Two of many non-violent protest’s he would be a part of. As time progresses, Jim Lawson’s non-violent teachings stay with him. In June of 1963 Lewis becomes chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee or SNCC. Lewis argues, “No, we will not change our tactics. We do not want violence, and we do not advocate for it.” (Lewis & Aydin 2:151) Lewis carries Lawsons presence with him as chairman of SNCC and stands strongly behind it. Which would lead him to make an important speech on August 28, 1963. The March on Washington was one of the most famous protests for equal hiring rights and freedom. Lawson instilled a great influence on Lewis by teaching him non-violent protesting. Lewis went from preaching to becoming a nonviolent protestor for the civil rights equality because of Lawson.
In conclusion Lewis had an eventful life full of influential people.

Yet the single most important people in John Lewis’ life were his Uncle Otis, Martin Luther King Jr, and Jim Lawson. I’m not sure I would have had the same strength to apply the same teachings if I were in his shoes. It was incredibly brave the way he handled his teachings and applied them towards the civil rights movement for a greater good. He didn’t allow his soul to be darkened by those who hurt him. He instead did the opposite with the help of a few people. His Uncle Otis who instilled his good morality and opened his eyes to what an integrated world looked like. Uncle Otis allowed Lewis to dream of a better tomorrow. While Dr. King inspired Lewis to act for his beliefs and do more as a preacher or as a person. Lastly, Jim Lawson taught him the way of non-violence and how to apply it to win the evils, the evil of racism. Lawson imprinted his beliefs in Lewis that led him to be a boundless advocate for nonviolence protesting. I hope we can all learn from history and avoid making the same mistakes that may apply to our modern-day society. To honor what John Lewis fought for and to create an equal society. Honor all those who helped him establish his character to be an important figure in the civil rights

movement.