On being willing to learn, to grow, to change

March, Book Two - by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell

One of my favorite passages in John Lewis's March II graphic novel, which I just finished.  

Up until then, many in the movement -- including myself -- had been critical of his [Attorney General Robert Kennedy's] response to our pleas for federal intervention.

Kennedy: You, the young people of SNCC, have educated me. You have changed me.  Now I understand.

It showed me something about Robert Kennedy that I came to respect: even though he could be a little rough -- ruthless, some would say -- he was willing to learn, to grow, and to CHANGE.

Nothing changes the fact that Kennedy did not do what Lewis was hoping in terms of federal help.  But Kennedy's admission that he was "educated" and "changed" makes Lewis respect Kennedy.  You can take this cynically -- that Kennedy just said this because he approved of the peaceful March on Washington and wanted Lewis and SNCC to continue to be conciliatory.  

Or, you can take Kennedy's response as a vulnerable and open one.  He says that Lewis (and the young people) had educated the older man, had changed the older man, the powerful man.  Maybe Kennedy really was open to be changed and educated.  That makes me think of how we need to be open to the world and people.