Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within. Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Look for the enemies of Medicare, of higher minimum wages, of Social Security, of federal aid to education and there you will find the enemy of the Negro, the coalition of Dixiecrats and reactionary Republicans that seek to dominate the Congress.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the connection between social justice issues and political opposition.
A. Philip Randolph emphasizes that those who oppose essential social programs such as Medicare, minimum wage increases, and federal aid disproportionately affect marginalized groups, particularly the Negro population. He draws a link between these political adversaries, namely Dixiecrats and reactionary Republicans, illustrating how their agenda threatens the well-being and rights of African Americans.
Themes
MedicareSocial SecurityMinimum WagePoliticsSocial Justice
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during discussions about healthcare reform to emphasize the importance of protecting social programs.
More from A. Philip Randolph
All quotes →We must develop huge demonstrations, because the world is used to big dramatic affairs. They think in terms of hundreds of thousands and millions and billions... Billions of dollars are appropriated at the twinkling of an eye. Nothing little counts.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Negroes are in no mood to shoulder guns for democracy abroad while they are denied democracy here at home.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Justice is never given; it is exacted.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Since almost all Negroes are workers, live on wages, and suffer from the high cost of food, clothing and shelter, it is obvious that the Republican and Democratic Parties are opposed to their interests.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Negroes must be free in order to be equal, and they must be equal in order to be free... Men cannot win freedom unless they win equality. They cannot win equality unless they win freedom.
A. Philip RandolphRead
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