In 1987, journalist Juan Williams helped illuminate the civil rights movement with eyes on the prize,

a groundbreaking book that brought history to life and became an essential chronicle of the fight for racial equality.

That book was paired with a groundbreaking PBS documentary of the same name.

Now, nearly four decades later, Williams returns with new prize for

these eyes, a powerful and timely update on this MLK day that looks at the new 21st century

civil rights movement. I recently spoke with him about it. Juan Williams, welcome to the News Hour.

My pleasure, Jeff. Thanks for happening. What about this current moment inspired you to write a follow-up to your 1987 book,

Eyes on the Prize?

You know, boy, 1987, that's a way back.

Almost 40 years ago.

Yeah, exactly.

So 40 years ago, I wrote Eyes on the Prize, America's Civil Rights Years, and it was

accompanying a PBS special of the same name that was a great

success. So now, 40 years later, here I am, and I'm saying to you, I think we're in the

midst of a second civil rights movement. I've written a book called New Prize for These

Eyes, the Rise of America's Second Civil Rights Movement. And the key here is that if you think about eyes on the prize

and the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century,

in some ways it could be summed up three words,

we shall overcome.

And then the focus there is on attaining basic rights through legislation,

people marching in the streets.

Okay, fast forward to 2025, and here we are with Black Lives Matter.

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