A Roadmap for Good Trouble: John Lewis's "March"

The story March is an autobiographical story about the Civil Rights Movement through John Lewis's eyes and perspective. Through captivating art and powerful storytelling, we are given the privilege to be placed in the heart of the movement as it plays out back in the 60s. 

With this story, besides showing the epic tale of how African Americans fought for their civil rights, John Lewis hoped to leave readers with some food for thought. Particularly, he hoped to imprint two ideas: the art of “good trouble” along with creating a “roadmap” for future activists. 

What is “good trouble” exactly, though? In our C&A response, our teacher Berringer explains it: “standing up for one’s principles even when it is unpopular and dangerous.” I think this is pretty good for a basic definition, but it could definitely be expanded upon. Or, more so, in John Lewis’s story, it goes further beyond. 

There was a keyword to it: art. 

Causing good trouble could be given to many things, if put in the right context. Even saying an innocuous sentence and inciting an argument; if in the right situation, this is good trouble. However, this is usually minimal risk, minimal reward. 

I feel Lewis was more of a go big or go home kind of guy. 

The art to “good trouble” that Lewis wanted to leave imprinted in viewers was high risk, high reward. The artistry to it was that he didn’t even have to lift a finger sometimes. 

Let’s go back to the innocuous sentence. Minimal risk, minimal reward? So why bother? 

Because the innocuous sentence was a drop of oil in a fire. It was the opponent’s final straw. 

Example: the march across the Edmund Pettis bridge scene. 

On Sunday, the Selma to Montgomery march was set. John Lewis was chairman to SNCC, who had decided to opt out of this protest as they felt it wasn’t something for them. Lewis was the only one to disagree, choosing to go to march but not on behalf of SNCC, but as himself. King would also not be attending, so Lewis and Hosea Williams led the march. The only plan was to walk until they arrived at Montgomery. 

When asked what they would do if stopped, Lewis only had one thing to say, “Well, I hope we won’t get stopped – but if we do, we are going to stand there and try to negotiate, and talk them into letting us go ahead to Montgomery. 

Walk and talk, that was all. 

Yet, it became to be known as “Bloody Sunday.” 

Why? 

Because they refused to go home and asked to speak to the major over the state troopers instead. They stayed standing instead of “returning to their churches and their homes. 

They didn’t even lift a finger; they just stood their ground. 

They incited “good trouble” even if it meant they were now in danger. 

With no more words exchanged between them, the troopers fell onto the protesters and Bloody Sunday came to pass. 

However, stirring up “good trouble” never caused quite as much as a ruckus as it did that day. 

ABC released 15 minutes worth of footage from the attack of the state troopers. Seeing that the protesters weren’t the one to incite violence, seeing that they were the ones to be attacked. 

These protesters were the ones acting human. 

It was the start of the snowball that has led to the changes that have been made since then, including those that have been made today. Making “good trouble” can be the hardest choice to make, but it sometimes is the easiest thing to do. It’s something anyone can do and it can lead to monumental changes. 

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