Their words
“Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community.”
Source: “Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation”, The New York Times, 30 July 2020
Context Written in his final days, the essay passes the nonviolent movement's charge to a new generation.
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More words from John Lewis
“Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.”
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“The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.”
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“In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.”
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“To those who have said, “Be patient and wait,” we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now!”
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