I stand before you today to repudiate the ridiculous notion that the American people will not vote for qualified candidates simply because he is not white or because she is not a male.
Shirley ChisholmRead
I was the first American citizen to be elected to Congress in spite of the double drawbacks of being female and having skin darkened by melanin. When you put it that way, it sounds like a foolish reason for fame. In a just and free society it would be foolish. That I am a national figure because I was the first person in 192 years to be at once a congressman, black and a woman proves, I think, that our society is not yet either just or free.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Shirley Chisholm reflects on the significance of her election as a Congress member, highlighting the injustice in society that made her achievement notable.
In this quote, Shirley Chisholm discusses her historic election as the first black woman to Congress in the United States, framing it within the context of societal injustices. She points out that rather than being celebrated solely for her qualifications, her identity as a woman of color rendered her election exceptional, which she views as indicative of the persistent inequalities in society. Chisholm's statement challenges us to consider how far we still have to go in achieving true justice and freedom for all individuals, regardless of race or gender.
Themes
JusticeEqualityPoliticsFameHistoryRepresentation
In practice
Example use cases
During a women's rights seminar, to illustrate the struggles of representation in politics.
More from Shirley Chisholm
All quotes →The emotional, sexual, and psychological stereotyping of females begins when the doctor says, 'It's a girl.'
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I know that millions of Americans from all walks of life agree with me that leadership does not mean putting the ear to the ground to follow public opinion, but to have the vision of what is necessary and the courage to make it possible.
Shirley ChisholmRead
Of course laws will not eliminate prejudice from the hearts of human beings. But that is no reason to allow prejudice to continue to be enshrined in our laws - to perpetuate injustice through inaction.
Shirley ChisholmRead
I want history to remember me... not as the first black woman to have made a bid for the presidency of the United States, but as a black woman who lived in the 20th century and who dared to be herself. I want to be remembered as a catalyst for change in America.
Shirley ChisholmRead
America is composed of all kinds of people - part of the difficulty in our nation today is due to the fact that we are not utilising the abilities and the talents of other brown and black peoples and females that have something to bring to the creativity and the rejuvenation and the revitalisation of this country.
Shirley ChisholmRead
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