Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.
Jesse JacksonRead
In Afghanistan, there is a plan to build democracy; hundreds of thousands of troops are protecting it. There is a plan to rebuild and reconstruct there. But many thousands of Americans die from violence and poverty every year and we don't have a plan for reconstruction at home.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the need for attention to domestic issues, comparing the efforts abroad with neglect at home.
Jesse Jackson's quote highlights the contradiction in American priorities, where substantial resources and military efforts are dedicated to building democracy and reconstructing Afghanistan. However, he points out that despite these endeavors, there remains a lack of a comprehensive plan to address the issues of violence and poverty within the United States, pressing for a reevaluation of where focus and funding should be placed.
Themes
DemocracyReconstructionPovertyViolenceAmerica
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech addressing social issues in the U.S.
More from Jesse Jackson
All quotes →Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive.
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His foreparents came to America in immigrant ships. My foreparents came to America in slave ships. But whatever the original ships, we are both in the same boat tonight.
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Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes, humble enough to admit them, strong enough to absorb the pain, and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving.
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Look at the coded language the Right is using against President Barack Obama. Openly calling him a liar in Congress, saying he is 'not a Christian, he was not born here, he is not one of us.' That makes addressing such issues trickier for the first African-American in the White House.
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Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise isn't the presence of justice - and we must demand justice in Ferguson and the other 'Fergusons' around America.
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