Rep. John Lewis (right) and fellow “March” authors Nate Powell (left) and Andrew Aydin turn to applaud the “Vote” painting by Morse High School students. Photo by Ken Stone
Nate Powell, illustrator of the graphic memoirs “March,“ said Friday that some students learn only nine words about the civil rights movement: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and “I have a dream.”
Having read “March: Book One” by Rep. John Lewis and co-author (and congressional aide) Andrew Aydin, the teens were treated to living history Friday when the veteran of Selma spoke to a packed gym audience.
In a 22-minute talk that began with a young man calling to Lewis “I love you” (triggering the response “I love you, too”), the 78-year-old Georgia Democrat offered inspiration and motivation. He recalled meeting the Rev. King at 17.
Friday night, Lewis, Powell and Aydin were set to appear at the San Diego Civic Theatre for the “launch event”of the 2018 season of “one book” reading.
But Friday morning, with dignitaries including California Secretary of State Alex Padilla making presentations, Lewis roared at the Tigers’ gym.
He exhorted the minority majority audience to be brave and courageous: “Never give up. Never give in. Be optimistic. We must vote like we’ve never voted before.”
But lest he draw too dire a picture, Lewis added: “It’s all going to work out. You can do it.”
Students gasped when Lewis noted that he’d been arrested 40 times during the civil rights era of the 1960s. (His most recent arrest was two years ago, demanding House action on gun control.)
The point of “March,” Lewis and his partners said, was to show how the struggle for rights (also gay, women’s and immigrants) is continuing.
“Inequality is not fixed once,” Powell said. “This is not a drill, and it is never over.”
Aydin introduced himself as a Muslim-American but not “Oh, you’re a good Muslim” as some told him.
Rep. John Lewis get a kiss from Morse special education technician Twyla Tarkington after his talk. Photo by Ken Stone
“I’m definitely not a good Muslim,” he said. “I’m a rabble rouser and proud of it.”
He told about how 10 years ago, “nobody thought of teaching a comic book in school,” including one of his high school teachers, who said a comic book was not a “real book.”
“She now teaches graphic novels in [her] classroom,” Aydin said. He said the “March” trilogy was an example of “an idea whose time has come. Join us — and march.”
Powell, who grew up in Alabama, said reading X-Men comics helped develop his social conscience.
“Being part of that gateway drug, comics continue to change lives,” he said. “That’s my PSA. Stand up for the art form of comics.”
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Morse High School head custodian Mark Gosek drops Rep. John Lewis off at gym after cart ride from parking lot. Photo by Ken Stone
About 300 students who had read “March: Book One” pack the bleachers for John Lewis visit. Photo by Ken Stone
Voting related art was displayed for the John Lewis event. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis responds to a question from Morse junior Ysaak Parflies. Photo by Ken Stone
San Diego Unified School District police watch John Lewis leave after shaking his hand. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis signs autograph for a student as he prepares to leave gym area. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis posed with several school and San Diego police officers, including the school district’s Chris Padilla. Photo by Ken Stone
Serra High School senior Marc Awwad of Tierrasanta shot video of Rep. Lewis, reading from laptop, to help at Morse. Photo by Ken Stone
San Diego schools Superintendent Cindy Marten visits with Rep. John Lewis upon his gym arrival. Photo by Ken Stone
Morse, in San Diego’s Skyline Hills neighborhood, boasts a very diverse student body. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis, with a handheld microphone, ventures closer to the audience after starting at a lectern. Photo by Ken Stone
Morse High School Principal Cynthia Larkin celebrates her students and visit by Rep. John Lewis. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis nears the front gate of Morse High School along with his “March” co-authors and an aide. Photo by Ken Stone
San Diego Unified school board vice president Sharon Whitehurst-Payne tells of her own childhood experiences in segregated Virginia. “It was real,” she said. “I lived it.” Photo by Ken Stone
KPBS General Manager Tom Karlo invites students to become fans of KPBS public radio and TV. Photo by Ken Stone
KPBS General Manager Tom Karlo noted “Sesame Street” and “Curious George” were part of students’ earlier fare. Photo by Ken Stone
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla told students the American dream was under attack by Washington. Photo by Ken Stone
“I pledge to vote” board was backdrop to Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who oversees statewide elections. Photo by Ken Stone
Secretary of State Alex Padilla presents certificates of recognition to Nate Powell (left) and ) Andrew Aydin, artist and co-author of “March.” Photo by Ken Stone
Secretary of State Alex Padilla displays his commendation for Rep. John Lewis. Photo by Ken Stone
Secretary of State Alex Padilla presents a commendation to Rep. John Lewis. Photo by Ken Stone
A Morse High School Tiger mascot overlooks Rep. John Lewis during San Diego visit. Photo by Ken Stone
Students paid close attention to Rep. John Lewis, who recalled his own youth and meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. Photo by Ken Stone
Students paid close attention to Rep. John Lewis, who recalled his own youth and meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. Photo by Ken Stone
Students delighted in hearing stories of the 1960s civil rights era. Photo by Ken Stone
Students paid close attention to Rep. John Lewis, who recalled his own youth and meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis encourages young audience to “vote like we’ve never voted before.” Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis speaks in front of posters showing covers of his “March” trilogy of comic books. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis responds to Morse High School student questions — given time for only two. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis tells of meeting one of his 1960s assailants decades later. Lewis forgave his attacker, accepting his apology. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis of Georgia speaks in the Morse High School gym. Photo by Ken Stone
“March” co-author Andrew Aydin told students: “Every elected official is more afraid of you than you are of them.” Photo by Ken Stone
“March” co-author Andrew Aydin, who is on Rep. John Lewis, staff, followed Lewis by joking “Now we have the main event — the comic-book creators.” Photo by Ken Stone
“March” illustrator Nate Powell said the civil rights movement shouldn’t be taught as “solved a problem and ended a problem.” Photo by Ken Stone
“March” illustrator Nate Powell said themes in the X-Men comics helped form his social conscience. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis and other speakers engaged the interest of Morse High School students who had read “March.” Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. Susan Davis saluted her fellow House member, John Lewis. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. Susan Davis of San Diego recalled having to encourage a student to vote despite fear of “making a mistake.” Photo by Ken Stone
Morse High School students listen to Rep. Susan Davis of the 53nd District, which includes their neighborhood. Photo by Ken Stone
Morse High School students listen to Rep. Susan Davis of the 53rd District, which includes their neighborhood. Photo by Ken Stone
Morse High School students applaud classmate, climbing down from bleachers, who helped with the “Vote” painting given to Rep. John Lewis. Photo by Ken Stone
Nate Powell, Andrew Aydin helped bring the “March” trilogy to life. The books on Rep. John Lewis life became a best-seller. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis (right) and fellow “March” authors turn to examine (and applaud) the “Vote” painting by Morse High School students. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis get a kiss from Twylah Tarkington after his talk at Morse High School. Photo by Ken Stone
“March” illustrator Nate Powell jokingly apologizes to Rep. John Lewis for missing the congressman’s visit to Little Rock Central High School a decade ago. Photo by Ken Stone
Ysaak Parflies reads a question to John Lewis, asking about a most significant moment in his life. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis signed autographs for students and adult fans alike. Photo by Ken Stone
Students swarmed Rep. John Lewis after program and were warmly embraced by the civil rights icon. Photo by Ken Stone
Morse High School staffer announces it’s time for students to break for lunch. Photo by Ken Stone
Rep. John Lewis smiles as he waits cart trip back to the Morse High School parking lot after a 90-minute visit. Photo by Ken Stone
Even while awaiting his Chevy Suburban ride at Morse High School parking lot, Rep. John Lewis made time to sign autographs. Photo by Ken Stone
Even while awaiting his Chevy Suburban ride at Morse High School parking lot, Rep. John Lewis made time to sign autographs. Photo by Ken Stone
San Diego police availed themselves of photos with Rep. John Lewis before leaving Morse High School at noon. Photo by Ken Stone
Students at lunchtime relaxed near welcome sign for Rep. John Lewis and his “March” collaborators. Photo by Ken Stone
Lewis didn’t address specific current events except to decry the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy that led to family separations at the border.
“It doesn’t make sense in our country for … millions (of immigrants) to be living in fear,” he said. “Separating children from their parents is vicious, and it’s evil and it’s sick. It must never, ever happen again.”
In a less serious moment, Eisner Award-winning artist Powell told of how he meant to attend a 50th anniversary celebration of Little Rock Central High School being integrated — where Lewis spoke. Powell said he couldn’t make it.
He leaned toward Lewis, smiled and said, “Sorry, man.”
Later, a Morse High School art teacher and her students presented Lewis a painting showing the word “Vote” made of crossed arms of different colors.
Rep. Susan Davis, who arrived after Lewis spoke, hailed her Capitol Hill colleague and reprised her story about meeting a student who said she didn’t vote for “fear of making a mistake.”
Davis told a fidgety crowd it was never wrong to exercise the right to cast a ballot.
At 11:45 a.m., with Lewis still signing autographs and posing for pictures, a Morse official spoke into a bullhorn — the kind once used by MLK at rallies but also by Segregationists to warn against “unlawful assemblies.”
The woman said it was time for lunch.
@andrewaydin ‘s beautiful tribute and love letter to his mother. Wish I had captured it all. He has one “variable” in common with a couple presidents I could name… #andrewaydinpic.twitter.com/vv2PGaQfRi
