There is nothing romantic about teargas. Or smoke bombs or rubber bullets or sound cannons.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the harsh realities of protest and civil unrest, devoid of glamor or romance.
Deray Mckesson's quote serves as a stark reminder that the tools used to suppress dissent—such as teargas, smoke bombs, and rubber bullets—are violent and inhumane. It emphasizes that there is nothing noble or romantic about the struggle against oppression; rather, it involves real danger and suffering. This perspective encourages a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by activists and the true gravity of their fight for justice.
In practice
Using this quote during a rally to remind participants of the seriousness of their actions.
If you close your eyes and think about where you feel the most safe, you're probably not going to tell me it's in a room full of police. You feel safe where you're around people that love you, when you have food and shelter, when you're being pushed to be your best self and learn.
Laws on hate speech and hate crimes do important work in a world that has been rooted in racism and bigotry since the inception of this country, which was not founded on ideals of justice.
So many of us don't know what we want; we just know we don't want what we have. We spend 99% of the time talking about how bad it is, but only 1% of the time talking about how we can do something about it.
I just couldn't believe that the police would fire tear gas into what had been a peaceful protest. I was running around, face burning, and nothing I saw looked like America to me.
The difference between equity and equality is that equality is everyone get the same thing and equity is everyone get the things they deserve.
I dare do all that may become a man; Who dares do more, is none
Friends have asked how I came to engender this American antagonism. My prodigious sin was, and still is, being a non-conformist. Although I am not a Communist I refused to fall in line by hating them. Secondly, I was opposed to the Committee on Un-American Activities - a dishonest phrase to begin with, elastic enough to wrap around the throat and strangle the voice of any American citizen whose honest opinion is a minority of one.
Obviously, because of my disability, I need assistance. But I have always tried to overcome the limitations of my condition and lead as full a life as possible. I have traveled the world, from the Antarctic to zero gravity.
If women are being oppressed in Egypt or children are being forced to join armies in the Congo, for example, it is not only acceptable but wonderful for Americans to be concerned, outraged, and active.
Come you masters of war You that build all the guns You that build the death planes You that build the big bombs You that hide behind walls You that hide behind desks I just want you to know I can see through your masks.
I was raised to believe that soldiers were strong and wise and brave and faithful; they didn't lie, cheat, steal or abandon their comrades.
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