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Selma helped make it possible for hundreds and thousands of people in the South to become registered voters and encouraged people all across America to become participants in a democratic process.
John Lewis
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the impact of Selma in empowering individuals to register to vote and participate in democracy.

John Lewis emphasizes the significant role that the Selma marches played in the civil rights movement, illustrating how these events not only enabled countless citizens in the South to register as voters but also inspired a nationwide commitment to democratic participation. The quote serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for voting rights and the importance of civic engagement.

Themes

SelmaVotingDemocracyCivil RightsParticipation

In practice

Example use cases

During a community meeting about voter registration, one could quote this to inspire action.

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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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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.
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