We live in a society of an imposed forgetfulness, a society that depends on public amnesia.
Angela DavisRead
There is so much history of this racist violence that simply to bring one person to justice is not going to disturb the whole racist edifice.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True justice requires more than just individual accountability; systemic issues must also be addressed.
Angela Davis asserts that addressing racist violence necessitates a broader approach than merely holding one individual accountable. The quote highlights the deep-rooted nature of racism in society, suggesting that until the overall structure that preserves such violence is dismantled, true justice cannot be achieved.
Themes
JusticeRacismViolenceAccountabilitySystemic
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech at a civil rights rally to emphasize the need for systemic change.
More from Angela Davis
All quotes βWell, we see an increasingly weaker labor movement as a result of the overall assault on the labor movement and as a result of the globalization of capital.
Angela DavisRead
Racism is a much more clandestine, much more hidden kind of phenomenon, but at the same time it's perhaps far more terrible than it's ever been.
Angela DavisRead
Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of our social problems.
Angela DavisRead
It's true that it's within the realm of cultural politics that young people tend to work through political issues, which I think is good, although it's not going to solve the problems
Angela DavisRead
Radical simply means 'grasping things at the root.'
Angela DavisRead
Similar quotes
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall with our English dead.
William ShakespeareRead
The dog, who had sounded so ferocious in the winter distances, was a female German Shepherd. She was shivering. Her tail was between her legs. She had been borrowed that morning from a farmer. She had never been to war before. She had no idea what game was being played. Her name was Princess.
Kurt VonnegutRead
Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.
Rosa ParksRead
We must travel in the direction of our fear.
John BerrymanRead
Lukewarm acceptance is more bewildering than outright rejection.
Martin Luther King, Jr.Read
I used to think that if someone asked for help, they were weak. But the toughest thing I ever did was reach out and ask for help. And that was when I started to heal.
Jimmy BarnesRead