The Gist

How John Lewis Conceived Of Change

Oct 24, 2024

David Greenberg, author of "John Lewis, a Life," sheds light on the civil rights icon's transformative activism and complex legacy. He discusses Lewis's strategies for change and how they evolved throughout his career. Greenberg delves into Lewis's dedication to nonviolence and coalition-building, contrasting it with today's activist landscape. The conversation also touches on the impact of grassroots movements in recent political events, emphasizing the importance of voices often left unheard in the current political dialogue.

44:06

Episode guests

David Greenberg

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

John Lewis's biography reveals his transformation from a young civil rights activist to a strategic and effective congressman, showcasing his multifaceted legacy.

The rise of uncommitted voting in primaries signifies a significant discontent among voters, illustrating grassroots activism's role in shaping political discussions.

Deep dives

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Intro

2min

Exploring Guardrails and the Legacy of John Lewis

5min

Legacy of John Lewis: A Journey Through Civil Rights

17min

Legislative Leadership and Civil Rights Advocacy

3min

Uncommitted Voices in Michigan

9min

The Dynamics of Protest and Media Narratives at the DNC

5min

David Greenberg is out with the first biography of Congressman John Lewis, which offers an examination of the highly influential legislator's activism, congressional record, and how his theories of change themselves changed depending on the role he played. Plus, a recent This American Life episode about the Democrats' uncommitted delegates raised the stakes, but left out details. Also on the show, examining Kamala Harris' claims that under a second Trump administration, there will be no patriotic staffers to erect guardrails.

CORRECTION: A previous version of The Spiel errantly mentioned that Michigan had the largest Palestinian population of any U.S. state. We corrected the mistake.

Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara

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