"I believed in something ... I discuss it in my book. I feel myself as a participant in a struggle ... I never saw myself as a leader, I saw myself as one participant ... but something caught up with me and got me involved and I call it the spirit of history. So I guess you could say I was part of history ... Because I was beaten and dragged, it helped get the Voting Rights Act." (NPR)
Synopsis
Lewis contributed two pieces of legislation: the 1964 Civil Rights Act & 1965 Voting Rights Act. Though the latter has been scrutinized and amended, both left marks in American History. The Civil Rights Act was achieved due to exposure of violence occurring during his Mississippi Freedom Summer while he achieved Voting Rights by leading marchers on Bloody Sunday -- a horrific event which the media filmed and broadcast. Both captivated the public and forced political change. Lewis has also contributed by inspiring others to pursue nonviolent justice. |