Ask now: What would John Lewis do?
In the midst of our challenging times, we heard recently of the death of Representative John Lewis. As I read his obituary, tears in my eyes, I better understood why President Obama called Lewis a national treasure and awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011: Throughout his life, Lewis continued to speak out for justice, putting his body and his life on the line to fight for racial justice.
As I thought about how not to give in to despair, what came to mind was, “What would John Lewis do?” John Lewis would, and did, stand up for justice with nonviolent protest.
And then I thought about all the heroic individuals, some living and some no longer with us, who would stand up with courage and determination in a moment like this one. What would Fred Korematsu do? He would call out the injustice in Japanese internment camps during World War II, taking his fight all the way to the Supreme Court. What would Harriet Tubman do? She would risk her life again and again to deliver former enslaved people to freedom. From my tradition, Judaism, what would Hannah Senesh do? She would paratroop behind enemy lines to spy against the Nazis.
Facing powerlessness, many of us justifiably feel scared and discouraged. Yet some individuals find the courage to stand up for justice.
In these times, we each need to get in touch with courage. We need to move through the fear to stay connected with one another and express caring towards each member of our society.
You may be feeling overwhelmed and powerless and want to curl up in a cave. You’re not alone.
But if you can, look that fear and despair in the eye and ask, “What would John Lewis do?”
I do the work of supporting nonprofit leaders as my personal mission. I believe that supporting mission-oriented organizations helps to improve the world around us. When you and your nonprofit do more efficient, productive and inspired work, you improve lives.
At times, however, I can’t help but feel that I can do more. Much like the folks listed above, they risked it all. Now, I don’t suggest that we all take on that responsibility, but I have started to seek out additional ways of showing leadership.
A little over a month ago, our family went to a vigil for George Floyd. We made “Black Lives Matter” signs and held them up. It felt meaningful to be with others who were coming together to say that Black Lives Matter. Going forward, I want each black person that I work with or walk by to know that I believe deeply that their life matters and this is the message I hope to convey in my community and in my work with individuals, organizations and systems.
How does the example of John Lewis impact you and your life? How do you engage in your community outside of the mission of your organization? How are you finding courage? How are you making #goodtrouble ? I would love to support you in these endeavors.