Lewis describes 1961 Freedom Ride at book event

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga, a leader of the 1960s Civil Rights movement, described his 1961 Freedom Ride, the subject of the second graphic novel in a trilogy - "March: Book Two" - for a Jan. 21 National Press Club audience.

Lewis said that he made his first trip to Washington, D.C. in 1961 to join the Freedom Ride, sponsored by the Congress for Racial Equality. The Freedom Ride tested Lewis' convictions through withstanding and witnessing a range of violence from beatings, police brutality, imprisonment, and arson to murder, he said.

The novel was co-written with Lewis' friend and staffer Andrew Aydin whose idea was to present the story via a graphic novel. The graphics in both Book One and Two were illustrated by Nate Powell.

Lewis left the audience with his final thoughts and advice to all young people: “Be hopeful, be optimistic, never give up, never give in, never hate…just be happy.”

When asked about President Johnson’s role in Selma, because some claim the movie, "Selma," is inaccurate, Lewis said that, at the time, President Johnson didn’t have the necessary votes in Congress to sign the Voting Rights Act, so he told them to “go out and get the votes.”

Lewis told the audience that his father always told him about his actions in life to “make it plain” and “make it real.” He said that Nate Powell the artist for the graphic novels was a powerful embodiment of that tenet. He believes that Powell’s illustrations made the book’s message come to life for the reader in a plain and real way. He credits much of the success of the books to Nate Powell’s work.

When asked about how he can reflect on such hard times with such love and compassion for those who opposed them, Lewis said that “people who are ahead of their time pay a price. Sometimes it takes 40 to 50 years to realize the impact of an historic occasion.” He added that in order to build a loving community we must “accept non-violence as a way of life.”

Congressman Lewis is currently serving his 15th term in congress. Andrew Aydin serves as a director and policy advisor in Lewis’ office.

Barbara Cochran, Chairman of the NPC Journalism Institute, introduced both speakers.