The road to the Olympics, leads to no city, no country. It goes far beyond New York or Moscow, ancient Greece or Nazi Germany. The road to the Olympics leads β in the end β to the best within us.
Jesse OwensRead
When I came back, after all those stories about Hitler and his snub, I came back to my native country, and I could not ride in the front of the bus. I had to go to the back door. I couldn't live where I wanted. Now what's the difference?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote illustrates the struggle against racial discrimination and the courage to confront injustice.
In this quote, Jesse Owens reflects on his experiences of returning to America after his Olympic triumph, emphasizing the harsh reality of racial segregation that persisted despite his accomplishments. He points out the irony of achieving greatness on the world stage while still being subjected to the same prejudices that marginalized him in his own country, highlighting the stark contrast between personal success and societal acceptance.
Themes
RacismSegregationCourageJusticeDiscrimination
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about civil rights, one might quote Jesse Owens to highlight the ongoing struggle for equality.
More from Jesse Owens
All quotes βIf you don't try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody's back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wants to win to prove himself the best.
Jesse OwensRead
A lifetime of training for just ten seconds.
Jesse OwensRead
In the end, it's extra effort that separates a winner from second place. But winning takes a lot more that that, too. It starts with complete command of the fundamentals. Then it takes desire, determination, discipline, and self-sacrifice. And finally, it takes a great deal of love, fairness and respect for your fellow man. Put all these together, and even if you don't win, how can you lose?
Jesse OwensRead
I wanted no part of politics. And I wasn't in Berlin to compete against any one athlete. The purpose of the Olympics, anyway, was to do your best. As I'd learned long ago from Charles Riley, the only victory that counts is the one over yourself.
Jesse OwensRead
Only by God?s grace have I made it to see today and only by God?s grace will I ever see tomorrow.
Jesse OwensRead
Similar quotes
Continue to be bold, courageous. Try to choose the wisest thing and once you've chosen the wisest thing go out and try to achieve it. Be it.
Maya AngelouRead
I have left my home, my family, and my job, and I am raising my voice. To do otherwise would betray those who languish in prison. I can speak when so many cannot.
Jamal KhashoggiRead
Somebody said to me the other day, 'You know, it's really senseless, what you're doing. There's always been suffering, there will always be suffering, and you're just prolonging the suffering of these children [by rescuing them].' My answer is, 'Okay, then, let's start with your grandchild. Don't buy antibiotics if it gets pneumonia. Don't take it to the hospital of it has an accident. It's against life-against humanity-to think that way.
Audrey HepburnRead
Fear can make you do more wrong than hate or jealousy... fear makes you always, always hold something back.
Philip K. DickRead
I was a very shy character, always feeling uncomfortable because everybody was stronger than I, and always afraid I would look like a sissy. Everybody else played baseball; everybody else did all kinds of athletic things.
Richard P. FeynmanRead
Even if I don't finish, we need others to continue. It's got to keep going.
Terry FoxRead