The cause of freedom is not the cause of a race or a sect, a party or a class - it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.
Interpretation
Freedom is a universal right that transcends individual identities and groups.
This quote emphasizes that the pursuit of freedom is not limited to specific races, religions, political parties, or social classes; rather, it is a fundamental right that belongs to all of humanity. Anna Julia Cooper argues that true liberty is an inherent birthright that should be championed for everyone, highlighting the importance of recognizing our shared humanity in the struggle for freedom.
In practice
During a speech advocating for civil rights, one could use this quote to highlight the universal nature of freedom.
It is not the intelligent woman v. the ignorant woman; nor the white woman v. the black, the brown, and the red, it is not even the cause of woman v. man. Nay, tis woman's strongest vindication for speaking that the world needs to hear her voice.
I speak for the colored women of the South, because it is there that the millions of blacks in this country have watered the soil with blood and tears, and it is there too that the colored woman of America has made her characteristic history and there her destiny is evolving.
Let woman's claim be as broad in the concrete as the abstract. We take our stand on the solidarity of humanity, the oneness of life, and the unnaturalness and injustice of all special favoritism, whether of sex, race, country, or condition. If one link of the chain is broken, the chain is broken.
Bullies are always cowards at heart and may be credited with a pretty safe instinct in scenting their prey.
I constantly felt (as I suppose many an ambitious girl has felt) a thumping from within unanswered by any beckoning from without.
Peace produced by suppression is neither natural nor desirable.
How often are the perpetrators of hate-crimes discovered to be self-loathing? Valued individuals do not strike out against strangers.
Nothing short of self-respect and that justice which is essential to a national character ought to involve us in war.
Even victors are by victories undone.
Is it treason to say the truth? A bitter truth, but no less true for that.
What distressed me most - more even than my own folly - was the perplexing question - How can beauty and ugliness dwell so near? Even with her altered complexion and face of dislike; disenchanted of the belief that clung around her; known for a living, walking sepulcher, faithless, deluding, traitorous; I felt, notwithstanding all this, that she was beautiful. Upon this I pondered with undiminished perplexity.
We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.
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