As the nation continues to have a conversation about race, equality and tolerance, we lost one of its key voices in Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. A fierce advocate for inclusive policies and nonviolent protest, he died on July 17th, at the age of 80, after a battle with cancer.
Here on Staten Island, a memorial mural to the man known as the conscious of Congress, can be viewed in West Brighton in Artist Alley. The spray paint artwork is a project supported by the Island-based business Richmond Hood Co. and commissioned by the organization Projectivity. The artist, Damien Mitchell, said he hopes the piece that features the Congressman’s likeness and famous quote will spark discussion across Staten Island.
“Hopefully, it will inspire people to look up the quote that “good trouble” comes from and then some of his other quotes and then maybe to read some of his long-form stuff and then maybe start to understand the messages he was trying to put forward and these issues that are still relevant today,” said Mitchell.
The Congressman’s full words are: “Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Photo courtesy @damien__mitchell on Instagram.
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