First hand accounts of history have consistently detailed a unique front-line perspective of historic events. John Lewis' Walking in the Wind is no different as Lewis, the now Congressman, shares his life in the epicenter of the Civil Rights movement through an eloquent and powerful portrayal. Lewis divulges what he experienced and who he encountered both behind the scenes and on the forefront of some of the most known Civil Right battlefields. It is this rare perspective that offers readers insight into the moments that changed history. In addition to Lewis detailing a number of events and people that aided in the Civil Rights movement, Lewis depicted three significant turning points. The McClellan's lunch counter boycott, the Freedom Rides …show more content…
More types of demonstrations, both violent and non- violent were being held across the country. Unfortunately, these strides did not result in peace, as cities like Birmingham, Alabama were stifled with fear and loathing because of tense race relations. Groups and people like Lewis attempted to combat the inequality and intolerance of places that felt segregation the most. In Birmingham community members would gather in churches, most famously the 16th Street Baptist Church, to discuss solutions and civil right activities. These gatherings became the target of Ku Klux Klan members. Soon Klan members would bomb the 16th Street Baptist Church on youth day in September of 1963. A total of 21 children were injured and 4 were killed, an incident that sparked fear. Citizens wondered “how much more? What else? What's next?” (p. 234). Lewis finds that the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church “was a particularly painful experience for all of us in the movement. It was a big blow to the hope and the faith of many” (p.235). African Americans, in general, were starting to wonder just how much more they could withstand and realized they needed to do something drastic. There was talk of seizing the State Capital, but eventually they settled for courthouse