John Lewis: Good Trouble Celebrates The Living Icon And His Passion For Social Justice

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By Dustin Seibert

In the past, some media outlets have made the mistake of confusing the late Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings with Georgia Congressman John Lewis. In all fairness, the two men do share a similar likeness and were dear friends who shared a brotherhood for many years before Cummings passed away last October.

For those who don’t know, and shame on you if you don’t, the film is an introduction to the man who many believe is the greatest living catalyst of the American civil rights movement. Lewis marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was one of the “Big Six” organizers of the legendary 1963 March on Washington. Back then, Lewis was considerably younger than many of his contemporaries and, as a result, his name wasn’t evoked as often as other freedom fighters of the era, like Dr. King or Rosa Parks. 

Hopefully, the release of John Lewis: Good Trouble, will rectify that and bring more awareness to his half-century-plus fight on our behalf.  

Arriving on demand and in select theaters on July 3 by Magnolia Pictures and Participant, the film (which is lovingly dedicated to Cummings) traces Lewis’ career in politics and civil disorder from the 1960s until 2019 – including his efforts to help Stacey Abrams in her 2018 gubernatorial campaign in Georgia.

The documentary is being promoted in concert with Make Good Trouble, a campaign created to provide resources to learn about voter rights and inspire ways to fight the voter suppression tactics that block marginalized communities from participating. In fact, in 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court severely crippled the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which Lewis played a key role in getting passed.  

By the end of 2019, Lewis underwent treatment for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. So, it’s especially important that the 80-year-old get an abundance of much deserved accolades today – especially during a potential watershed moment in civil rights history.  Read More.