‘Get in good trouble,’ Lewis challenges Boston graduates

Major civil rights leader John Lewis inspired Boston University graduates to stand up, speak out, and be bold whenever they see any injustice in the world.

In his commencement speech, the congressman looks toward the future telling the graduates that they are the future of the world. Lewis told the graduates that they are there to guide future generations and there to make a change.

“Roll up your sleeves because the world is waiting for you. Waiting for talented men and women to lead it to a better place,” Lewis said. “Yes, the world is waiting for you. The world would like for you to find a way to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Lewis elaborated on the ‘good trouble’ that he got into. The civil rights leader talked about how he was in jail over 40 times before being in congress and then five times during his time in congress.

While talking about his Civil Right Movement actions he’s done, the graduates were tearing up about how emotional Lewis was talking.

Lewis growing up seeing figure heads like Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, knew he wanted to help and make a change. Trying to apply for a segregated school called Troy State University, now known as Troy University, Lewis sent Dr. King a letter asking for his help.

Lewis then told the graduates that he was accepted to Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., where his uncle gave him $100 and a footlocker. Once in Nashville, Dr. King invited him to Montgomery, Ala.

Lewis then encouraged the graduates that the world needs smart men and women to get in trouble. The graduates were happy with what he said, applauding Lewis while he told them to get in trouble.

“[Rev. King] inspired me to stand up, to speak up, to speak out,” Lewis said. “When I was growing up, I saw the signs that said, ‘white men,’ ‘colored men,’ ‘white women,’ ‘colored women.’ I asked my mother, my father, my grandparents, and my great grandparents, ‘why?’ They would say ‘don’t get in the way, don’t get in trouble.’ I got in trouble. I got in trouble! Good trouble.”

Lewis growing up with segregation has suffered through laws and rules that kept colored people separated from white Americans. Because of this Lewis wants to inspire the graduates to be able to understand that the world must work and live together.

“We don’t live just on this little piece of real estate we call Earth alone. This is a big world, but all of us must learn to live together as brothers and sisters; if not we will perish as fools,” Lewis said.

Lewis also talked about how different poll taxes prevented African Americans from voting in national and local elections. Some examples he gave were counting the number of jellybeans in a jar or counting the number of bubbles on a soap bar. Lewis then urged the graduates to “participate in the democratic process. Get out there and vote like we never voted before.”

As he was ending his speech the graduates gave Lewis a standing ovation. Applauding him afer the emotional speech that he delivered for the graduates.

“Go with love, with hope. Be hopeful, be optimistic,” Lewis said. “But be bold, be courageous, and all will work out.”