Skip to content

Black Quote by John Lewis

“Some people think that [it was] Martin Luther King Jr.'s idea to have a boycott. It was a black woman, a teacher, who said we should boycott the buses. You had people like Fannie Lou Hamer; Delta, Mississippi.” quote by John Lewis
Download Open image
“Some people think that [it was] Martin Luther King Jr.'s idea to have a boycott. It was a black woman, a teacher, who said we should boycott the buses. You had people like Fannie Lou Hamer; Delta, Mississippi.”

John Lewis

About This Quote

Source Speech: Civil Rights Movement, 1960s, United States

A black female teacher initiated the bus boycott, not Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting often contributions of women like Fannie Lou Hamer.

In simple terms: Women led the boycott, not MLK.

Key Takeaway

Recognize unsung leaders.

Themes

civil rights activism gender

Mood

reflective determined

Type

historical educational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • activism
  • community organizing
  • media representation

Key Concepts

intersectionality grassroots organizing historical revisionism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we better credit women's contributions?
  • What other movements have hidden female leaders?
A Different Perspective

Often women's roles are minimized in historical narratives.

4.5 out of 5 (7 ratings)

More by John Lewis

Explore all 258 John Lewis quotes

More Black quotes

Browse all 11,655 Black quotes