The March on Washington was a March for Jobs and Freedom. There are still too many people who are unemployed or underemployed in America - they're black, white, Latino, Native American and Asian American.
John LewisRead
Customs, traditions, laws should be flexible, within good reason, if that is what it takes to make our democracy work.
Interpretation
Customs and laws should adapt to serve democracy effectively.
John Lewis emphasizes the importance of flexibility in customs, traditions, and laws to uphold the principles of democracy. When these structures are rigid, they can hinder the democratic process; thus, adapting them within reasonable limits is crucial for a functioning society.
In practice
In a discussion about legislative reform, one can use this quote to advocate for adjusting outdated laws.
The March on Washington was a March for Jobs and Freedom. There are still too many people who are unemployed or underemployed in America - they're black, white, Latino, Native American and Asian American.
The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society.
I say to people today, 'You must be prepared if you believe in something. If you believe in something, you have to go for it. As individuals, we may not live to see the end.'
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.
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.
Sometimes I hear people saying, 'Nothing has changed.' Come and walk in my shoes.
Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly are among the very fundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified should freedom of the press ever be successfully challenged.
When scrutiny is lacking, tyranny, corruption and man's baser qualities have a better chance of entering into the public business of any government.
Voting is simply a way of determining which side is the stronger without putting it to the test of fighting.
The deficit crisis is real and must be addressed. But it cannot be solved on the backs of the weak and vulnerable.
I know no method to secure the repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent execution.
There is too much disagreement for disagreement's sake. In a time of persistent challenges that still call into question our most sacred aspirations as a country, we cannot afford shallow callous divisiveness in our public debate.
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