I didn't want to be a big star. I wanted to be a really good actor.
Laurence FishburneRead
Things have become considerably better for men of colour since I was born. But I'd say that we'll be really getting somewhere when things get better for women of colour.
Interpretation
Progress for men of color is important, but true equality will be achieved when women of color also experience improvement.
Laurence Fishburne emphasizes the need for social progress to include not only men of color but also women of color. While there has been significant advancement for men of color, the ultimate measure of equality and justice will be when all marginalized groups, particularly women of color, see meaningful improvements in their lives.
In practice
In a speech at a community event discussing racial equality.
I didn't want to be a big star. I wanted to be a really good actor.
We should be uncomfortable with the growing gaps in our society, and we cannot allow ourselves to become desensitized to these injustices.
I believe it is possible to bring an end to mass incarceration and birth a new moral consensus about how we ought to be responding to poor folks of color and a consensus in support of basic human rights for all. But it is going to take some work.
Racism has its boot squarely wedged on the neck of black communities, and we don't want to be told that hard work and responsibility are the answer.
I've always been bothered by systems that don't work for everybody. It doesn't mean we're all equal. I am not naive about that. But we should have a more inclusive society.
Caste is about dividing people up in ways that preclude every form of solidarity, because even in the lowest castes, there are divisions and sub-castes, and everyone's co-opted into the business of this hierarchical, silo-ised society.
The coffers are full of money and equipment for the Ferguson Police and the Missouri National Guard to put down a potential uprising, but no money for actually uplifting the people of Ferguson, St. Louis, Missouri and around the nation.
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