Good Trouble

A Meeting with John Lewis I'll Never Forget on the Fifth Anniversary of His Passing.

Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.

John Lewis

Today, July 17, marks five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, a towering figure in the American struggle for justice, equality, and human dignity. Across the country, people are commemorating his life and legacy through rallies, reflections, and renewed commitments to the kind of "good trouble" he championed. As I read the headlines and see the images of young activists marching in his name, I think back to a quiet, unforgettable moment in his office in 2018, one that changed me forever.

I had met Congressman Lewis a few times in passing, brief moments of mutual respect I treasured. But the most memorable encounter was in his Capitol Hill office in 2018. I walked in prepared to thank him for his sacrifices, his leadership at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the March on Washington, and his decades in Congress as the nation's moral compass.

But as I sat next to him, I found myself struggling to gather my words. The reverence I held for him made it difficult to speak. With tears welling up in my eyes, I tried to convey the depth of my appreciation. To my surprise, he turned that gratitude back at me. With tears in his eyes, he placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "No, no. It is your family that I need to thank."