Everyone in the street where I grew up was given the same message: You can be anything; you can do anything. That wasn't extraordinary; that was ordinary for us. My folks didn't believe in black exceptionalism. There's nothing exceptional about 'You can have that, too' - except when it comes to justice. You can't have that.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the belief in limitless potential, contrasted with the systemic barriers to justice.
Yance Ford emphasizes the importance of a supportive environment where individuals are encouraged to strive for their dreams, highlighting that this was a normal experience in his upbringing. However, he poignantly draws attention to the inequalities present in society, specifically regarding justice, suggesting that while everyone is told they can achieve greatness, the reality is that systemic issues prevent equitable access to opportunities.
In practice
During a graduation speech to inspire students about overcoming obstacles.
I hope that audiences understand that there is a precariousness to black lives in this country that we need to address, that there has always been a precariousness to black lives in this country that we need to address. In fact, our country is built on the precariousness of black lives, the disposability of black lives.
The world is God's language to us.
Do not be deluded by the abstract word Freedom. Whose freedom? Not the freedom of one individual in relation to another, but freedom of Capital to crush the worker.
Whoever reads the gospel with a single eye, and sincere intentions, will find, that our blessed Lord took all opportunities of reminding his disciples that His Kingdom was not of this world; that His doctrine was a doctrine of the Cross; and that their professing themselves to be His followers, would call them to a constant state of voluntary suffering and self-denial.
Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation. [However disappointment can always be removed if we remember it could have turned out worse.]
To recognize untruth as a condition of life--that certainly means resisting accustomed value feelings in a dangerous way; and a philosophy that risks this would by that token alone place itself beyond good and evil.
I think you have a moral responsibility when you've been given far more than you need, to do wise things with it and give intelligently.
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