"Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble: Reimagining The Dream of True Justice"
The summer of 2020 was a time of "good trouble, necessary trouble," a phrase popularized by the late Congressman John Robert Lewis. As chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), Lewis was only 23 years old when he helped plan and ultimately spoke at the historic March on Washington in August 1963. https://voicesofdemocracy.umd.edu/lewis-speech-at-the-march-on-washington-speech-text/.
In 2020, Lewis' brand of activism arose as never before in Tacoma and Pierce County. Youth and young adults were central to the push for civil and human rights; even during a worldwide pandemic, youth and young adults engaged in unprecedented direct action, public commentary, and peaceful protests.
We saw them maximize social media to "pop up" quickly and expand their sphere of influence through rapid, targeted communication. Youth and young adults' individual and collective action was the exact sort of "good trouble, necessary trouble" that Congressman Lewis had in mind in 1963.
Their efforts led to much-needed leadership, legislation, and policy changes in 2021. They are poised to maximize the present moment into a movement; to answer our community's call to action; to reconstruct the dream of true justice that remains unrealized.
2021 Freedom Summer Symposium
THIS YEAR, the FSS theme is based on the March on Washington and the late Congressman John Lewis.
Although unpopular at the time, scholars have since found his provocative speech to be a compelling affirmation of the power of grassroots activism.
Up to 30 Social Justice Design Challenge participants will spend the afternoons of days 1 and 2 applying human-centered design to the challenge of reconstructing Congressman Lewis’ dream.
The Design Challenge will culminate with findings and recommendations to the general audience on day 3.
The design challenge
The Design Challenge was facilitated by the University of Washington Global Innovation and Design Lab.
The Design Challenge was a one-of-a-kind, leadership development opportunity for 18-35 year-olds interested in tackling Social Justice issues in the Pierce/King county area.
The Design Challenge Team
Orientation Day
June 15, 2021
The Design Challenge team
Orientation Day
June 15, 2021
The Freedom Summer Symposium
Volunteers on Talent Day
June 15, 2021
The Freedom Summer Symposium
Volunteers on Talent Day
June 15, 2021
Our 2021 funding Partners
Sponsor the 2022 Freedom Summer Symposium
Freedom Fighter Package
- Logo placement on social media
- Social media thank you post
- Event swag bag