George Lakey is an activist, sociologist and writer who has added an academic underpinning to revolutionary change. But George is much more than that. From his arrest in the civil rights movement to his recent climate justice march at the age of eighty-three, George has committed his life to taking action for a more peaceful, equitable and healthy world.
I first met George in 2015 when he came to Maine to do a conference keynote. I picked him up at the airport and took him to dinner the night before his speaking engagement. We talked for hours that night. And we’ve been friends and colleagues ever since.
Later, In the summer of 2019, George spent the night at my house as part of an author tour for his seventh book, Viking Economics. At coffee that morning I asked him what he thought of my writing a book based on a college course I was teaching called “Advocating for the Environment”.
“Absolutely, do it!” he said with enthusiasm. Only later did I realize that George had no clue as to whether I could write a paragraph, let alone a whole book. But his response perfectly illustrates who he is.
George is one of the most enthusiastic and supportive people I’ve ever met. His purpose in everything he does is to make it right for everyone to be here. So naturally he endorsed my book idea. Later he reviewed several chapters, and provided helpful feedback.
George has built a huge international network of colleagues, students and friends. He has taught and mentored hundreds of people. He taught Peace Studies at Swarthmore College for seven years, and led over 1500 social change workshops on five continents.
George’s tenth book, Dancing with History, has just been published. It’s an in-depth memoir of his life. In the book he tells the stories of how he took risks—sometimes risking his life—in order to facilitate positive change.
He tells the story of sailing a small boat through the naval blockade in the South China Sea to deliver medical supplies to north and south Vietnam during the war. He details how he served as an unarmed bodyguard to Sri Lankan human rights lawyers. He gives personal details of his fight with cancer in his late thirties. And he shares lessons he’s learned from his family’s tragedies, experiences that would be difficult for anyone to bear.
George is now on a national tour to promote his new book. Below is a schedule of events in Maine. A documentary about George’s life is coming out soon, too. You can watch the eight minute trailer HERE.
I hope you will get to know George through his book, an event, or his documentary. I highly recommend it!