We cannot afford the luxury of self pity. Our top priority now is to get on with the building process. My personal peace has come through helping boys and girls reach beyond the ordinary and strive for the extraordinary. We must teach our children to weather the hurricanes of life, pick up the pieces, and rebuild. We must impress upon our children that even when troubles rise to seven-point- one on life's Richter scale, they must be anchored so deeply that, though they sway, they will not topple
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of resilience and proactive support for children in the face of adversity.
Mamie Till's quote highlights the importance of moving beyond self-pity and focusing on personal growth and support for others, particularly children. She expresses that fostering resilience in the younger generation is vital, teaching them to navigate life's challenges and to rebuild after setbacks rather than falter. By encouraging children to be deeply anchored in their values and strengths, they can withstand life's pressures and emerge stronger.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech for educators about the importance of resilience in students.
Two months ago I had a nice apartment in Chicago. I had a good job. I had a son. When something happened to the Negroes in the South I said, `That's their business, not mine.' Now I know how wrong. I was. The murder of my son has shown me that what happens to any of us, anywhere in the world, had better be the business of us all.
If you have to get on your knees and bow when a white person goes past do it willingly.
I think everybody needed to know what had happened to Emmett Till.
I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you...And you...And you...Gotta give em hope.
I suppose, because I am a sportsman and travel all over Australia, I see every day Australians doing small and large and often unnoticed deeds; many times I thought how nice it would be for them to be recognised, so I hope somehow that in receiving this honour that I represent these people.
To me, I think it's awesome to meet your heroes and find out who they are and where they came from and what made them choose to communicate in the form that connected with you.
Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we've ever known.
Be inspired with the belief that life is a great and noble calling; not a mean and groveling thing that we are to shuffle through as we can, but an elevated and lofty destiny.
I want to be a force for real good. In other words. I know that there are bad forces, forces that bring suffering to others and misery to the world, but I want to be the opposite force. I want to be the force which is truly for good.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.