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Thursday, 06 July 2017 14:55

Activists challenge and reshape our social and political consciousness.

Written by KK Ottesen | The Washington Post
Lettering by Sawdust Lettering by Sawdust

Freedom Rider. Labor leader. Whistleblower. Tax reformer.

Activists — in their many forms and with their varied causes — have long challenged and reshaped our social and political consciousness. But why do certain people choose to become activists? At a time of deep division around the country, ten activists from across the political spectrum reveal the stories of what has sustained them on their journeys and how they — or how any of us — can heed the call to make a difference.  

Ever wonder how and why John Lewis, Dolores Huerta, Harry Belafonte, Jenny Beth Martin, Ralph Nader, Grover Norquist, Leah Greenberg, Ezra Levin, Jeanne Mancini and Alicia Garza became activists?

Image John Lewis

Image name John Lewis

Congressman John Lewis (D-Ga.), 77, was a student leader in the civil rights movement,
organizing sit-ins and serving as one of the original 13 Freedom Riders.
From 1963 to 1966, Lewis was chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
He has served in Congress since 1987. In 2011 Lewis received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

“…[Y]ou cannot be at home with yourself when you see something that you know is not right. You have to do something. You have to say something.”

“There’s something I call the spirit of history: Sometimes you’re tracked down by a force, and you cannot turn away.”

“…[T]here’s so much work to be done. And you never know how much time you have. And you have to use your time wisely.”


Read this article online in The Washington Post Magazine.

Read 3146 times Last modified on Monday, 24 July 2017 20:18