The March on Washington was a March for Jobs and Freedom. There are still too many people who are unemployed or underemployed in America - they're black, white, Latino, Native American and Asian American.
John LewisRead
If it hadn't been for that march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, there would be no Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the impact of historical events on the present and future, particularly in relation to civil rights.
John Lewis highlights how significant moments in history, like the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the civil rights movement, paved the way for future leaders, such as Barack Obama. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of activism and the struggles faced in the fight for equality, suggesting that these efforts shape the course of history and influence future generations.
Themes
Civil RightsActivismHistoryLeadershipLegacy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a speech about the importance of civil rights movements in shaping modern society.
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Customs, traditions, laws should be flexible, within good reason, if that is what it takes to make our democracy work.
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I say to people today, 'You must be prepared if you believe in something. If you believe in something, you have to go for it. As individuals, we may not live to see the end.'
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We need someone who is going to stand up, speak up, and speak out for the people who need help, for the people who have been discriminated against.
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Sometimes I hear people saying, 'Nothing has changed.' Come and walk in my shoes.
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