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.
Never limit your view of life by any past experience.
Sice Karate exists for cultivating the spirit and training the body, it must be a moral way surpassing mere techniques.
Historians are like deaf people who go on answering questions that no one has asked them.
One must know oneself. If this does not serve to discover truth, it at least serves as a rule of life and there is nothing better.
The testimony of scripture is so plain that to add anything were superfluous, were it not that the world is almost now come to that blindness, that whatsoever pleases not the princes and the multitude, the same is rejected as doctrine newly forged, and is condemned for heresy.
As a human being, I'm concerned about the world that I live in. So, I'm concerned about peace. I'm concerned about - about man's inhumanity to man. I'm concerned about the environment.
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