“We Will Not Be Silent”: The Legacy of Civil Rights Activist Rev. James Lawson
Photo By: Joon Powell, CC BY 2.5
In observance of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight the life and work of civil rights activist Rev. James Lawson, who died last year. Also during the month of February on the DPI's facebook page, we will be highlighting the lives and contributions of some outstanding Black Wisconsin educators.
By Blue Campbell
EIS Intern at the Wisconsin DPI
Reverend James Lawson Jr. was a civil rights activist who was committed to peace and justice in equal measure. These values guided his life and career. Known for both his gentle nature and passionate activism, Lawson set an impressive example by fiercely advocating for the fair treatment of all people while retaining an attitude of love and connection.
Martin Luther King Jr. famously called Lawson “the leading theorist and strategist of nonviolence in the world” -- and for good reason. Lawson had a deep well of knowledge on nonviolent techniques, which he studied on a three year Methodist mission in India. Beginning in 1958, he worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to teach workshops on nonviolence for fellow student activists at Black universities in Nashville.
The techniques Lawson taught became the central strategy for many of the most well known demonstrations of the civil rights movement, including the Nashville sit-ins, the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery March. Attendees of his workshops included such notable activists as John Lewis, James Bevel, Diane Nash, Marion Barry, and Bernard Lafayette.
Beyond his involvement in the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s, Lawson took every opportunity to call for justice. Lawson frequently called for an end to what he identified as “forces of spiritual wickedness” including racism, sexism, violence, and “plantation capitalism,” a term he used to refer to the intersections of economics, colonialism, and violence. Motivated by faith, a deep sense of justice, and a commitment to pacifism, Lawson was willing to call out Democrats and Republicans alike for their involvement in “plantation capitalism.” Though he retired from ministry in 1999, he continued to advocate for human rights and speak publicly until his death in 2024.
Throughout his 95 years, Reverend James Lawson Jr. served as a role model and inspiration for activists young and old. While his absence will be deeply felt, his legacy lives on.
Resources for further learning:
- Watch Reverend James Lawson Jr. reflect on pivotal moments in his life and career in this 2017 profile from the United Methodist Church.
- Read or listen to NPR's obituary and biography of Reverend James Lawson Jr.
- Watch an uncut 1985 "Eyes on the Prize" interview with James Lawson focused on his role in the Nashville sit-ins.
- Read a biography of Reverend James Lawson from Britannica Kids.