This past weekend we lost two icons who were pivotal in advancing civil rights, Rep. John Lewis and Rev. Cordy Tindell Vivian. Both were spiritual leaders who studied theology at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee. Both were inspired by the teachings of Gandhi and advocated for peace. Both walked alongside Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and played central roles in the March on Washington. Even amidst the turmoil of racial injustice, both saw American through a lens of love, non-violence, forgiveness and spirituality. Their parallels are astonishing, their impact, profound. Neither will be forgotten.
However, for me, there was one—one whom I knew personally— Rep. John Lewis.
Nearly ten years ago, when I was a Robert Wood Johnson health policy fellow in Washington, D.C., I was assigned to the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Lewis was one of the members. As a result, very often, I got to see him in action! He had gentle eyes and a commanding voice. He always spoke with meaning, moved with intention and listened with love. There was also such irony about him—a man who, amid chaos, chose peace. In the storm, he was calm. Even his silence spoke volumes. When he talked, my colleagues and I learned to listen closely because there was usually a lesson in his message– it was always something profound. "Good trouble" was a model for irony and character, the architecture of John.
At first glance, "good trouble" seems antithetical to what we deem reasonable. How could trouble ever be considered good? If I could sum it up, I'd say that good trouble means going against the norm for the greater good—it means having moral courage. Rep. John Lewis's unwavering struggle for justice and equality was an example.
His credo was exemplified in everything he did. He would always remind us that if it's good trouble, it's worth it. Although his death saddens me, I am extremely honored to have known this principled, faithful servant of our country.
Undoubtedly, 2020 has presented us with significant challenges, but with it comes great opportunity. As we continue on the path of distinction to exemplary education, research, scholarship and community, we will be persistent in upholding our values. We will preserve our values with the unwavering steadiness, ethics, and significance exemplified by Rep. John Lewis.
Goldfarb family take a moment to think about your impact on our community's health and well-being. What is your "good trouble?"
During our most challenging times, we will be physically and emotionally exhausted. There may also be times we miss the mark. Nevertheless, when we continue to live our core values as Goldfarb students, faculty, and staff—as a community— in the midst of what appears to be chaos, we will learn from it and teach others. Like many of us who watched and learned from Rep. John Lewis, we recognize "good trouble" and it is worth it.
