We have defeated Jim Crow, but now we have to deal with his son, James Crow Jr., esquire.
As I stood and gave the eulogy for young Michael Brown last week, I kept thinking about the fact that this child should have been in college instead of laying in a coffin.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the tragedy of lost potential due to violence and injustice.
Al Sharpton's quote highlights the sorrow and injustice surrounding the death of young Michael Brown, emphasizing the stark contrast between the potential future of a young man who should have been pursuing his education and the reality of his untimely death. It serves as a poignant reminder of the societal issues that lead to such tragedies and the emotional weight felt by those left behind who witness such life cut short, compelling us to confront and address these critical social issues.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting addressing youth violence, this quote could be used to underline the need for preventive measures.
More from Al Sharpton
All quotes →We're not willing to give black leaders second chances because, in most cases, we're not willing to give them first chances.
The horrific cases in Ferguson, in Staten Island with the death of Eric Garner, and all across the country serve as stark reminders that we must have a say in who polices us, and how that policing is done. We must, we must, let our voices be heard on Election Day.
It is up to us to change laws on the books like 'Stand Your Ground' laws and push elected officials to enact regulations that hold police officers to the same standards as the rest of society. This is why we vote.
If companies can refuse to provide coverage for women, what other objections to the Affordable Care Act will we see based on 'religious grounds'? For that matter, will 'religious freedom' be used as an excuse to discriminate against other minorities and disenfranchised groups across the board? Where will it end?
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His whole body shakes with the strain as he tries to lift something he knows he can't lift, something everybody knows he can't lift. But, for just a second, when we hear the cement grind at our feet, we think, by golly, he might do it.
We did not hesitate to call our movement an army. But it was a special army, with no supplies but its sincerity, no uniform but its determination, no arsenal except its faith, no currency but its conscience.
Sometimes overturning brutal regimes takes time and costs lives. I wish it weren't so. I really, really do.