One of my realizations is that if you revel over joy, you're going to ache over pain and get killed over hurt. Your span of feelings are going to go just as far one way as the other.
Chuck BerryRead
In the Fifties, there were certain places we couldn't ride on the bus, and now there is a possibility of a black man being in the White House. You have to feel good about it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the progress in racial equality from the past to the present.
Chuck Berry's quote contrasts the racial segregation of the 1950s, where there were restrictions on where Black individuals could sit on public buses, with the hopeful emergence of a Black man potentially becoming President of the United States. This significant change illustrates the strides made towards racial equality and the importance of acknowledging and feeling optimistic about such progress.
Themes
ChangeProgressEqualityHopeHistory
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used during a speech on civil rights to emphasize progress.
More from Chuck Berry
All quotes →Everything I wrote about wasn't about me, but about the people listening.
Chuck BerryRead
Rock is my child and my grandfather.
Chuck BerryRead
I directed my music to the teen-agers. I was 30 years old when I did 'Maybellene.' My school days had long been over when I did 'School Day,' but I was thinking of them.
Chuck BerryRead
Hail, hail rock and roll / Deliver me from the days of old.
Chuck BerryRead
I wanted to play blues. But I wasn't blue enough. I wasn't like Muddy Waters, people who really had it hard. In our house, we had food on the table. We were doing well compared to many. So I concentrated on this fun and frolic, these novelties.
Chuck BerryRead
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