What did john Lewis mean by dream deffered?

John Lewis' "dream deferred" is a reference to the famous poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes. The poem begins with the line "What happens to a dream deferred?" and goes on to describe the effects of deferred dreams on the human spirit. Lewis used this phrase in his speeches and writings to talk about the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States. He argued that the failure to fulfill the promise of equality for all Americans was a "dream deferred" that was having a negative impact on the lives of African Americans and other marginalized groups.

Lewis' use of the phrase "dream deferred" was particularly powerful because he had lived through many of the struggles for civil rights firsthand. He was a young activist during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, and he had witnessed the violence and discrimination that African Americans faced. He also saw the progress that was made during the Civil Rights Movement, but he knew that there was still much more work to be done.

Lewis' "dream deferred" was a call to action for Americans to recommit themselves to the fight for civil rights and equality. He believed that the dream of a just and equal society was still possible, but that it would take hard work and dedication to achieve. He urged Americans to never lose sight of this dream, and to continue to fight for it until it was finally realized.

Lewis' "dream deferred" has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle for civil rights and equality in the United States. It is a reminder that the dream of a just and equal society is still not a reality, but that it is a dream worth fighting for.