Congressman John Lewis: A Man on a Mission to Seek Justice for All
Table of Contents Segregation in the South Peaceful Protests 4 6 Freedom Rider A Historic Act Bloody Sunday The Right to Vote 8 10 12 14 Congressman 16 Inspiring Kids 18 Big Dates in John's Life 22 Words to Know 23 Index 24 3
4 Segregation in the South John Robert Lewis was a mostly happy child He was born on February 21 1940 outside Troy Alabama His parents were sharecroppers John liked to help on the family's farm He took care of the chickens and picked cotton peanuts and corn Good to Know In 1954 the Supreme Court case Brown v the Board of Education ruled that racial segregation of public schools went against the U.S. Constitution But most schools in the South remained segregated for many more years
WHITE ONLY COLORED ONLY But there was one big thing that made John unhappy At the time Black and white children in much of the South had to go to segregated separate schools Blacks and whites also had to use separate restrooms water fountains libraries and more John knew that was unfair But his parents told him that's just the way it was 5
