Fortunately, the time has long passed when people liked to regard the United States as some kind of melting pot, taking men and women from every part of the world and converting them into standardized, homogenized Americans. We are, I think, much more mature and wise today. Just as we welcome a world of diversity, so we glory in an America of diversity -- an America all the richer for the many different and distinctive strands of which it is woven.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the value of diversity in America, moving beyond the idea of a 'melting pot' to appreciate unique cultural contributions.
Hubert H. Humphrey emphasizes the importance of diversity in American society, suggesting that instead of trying to homogenize various cultural backgrounds into a singular identity, we should celebrate and recognize the distinctiveness of each group. He argues that this embrace of diversity enriches the nation, leading to a more mature and wise society that appreciates the unique contributions of every individual.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about the benefits of multiculturalism in American society.
It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
Much of our American progress has been the product of the individual who had an idea; pursued it; fashioned it; tenaciously clung to it against all odds; and then produced it, sold it, and profited from it.
We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.
You cannot go around and keep score. If you keep score on the good things and the bad things, you'll find out that you're a very miserable person. God gave man the ability to forget, which is one of the greatest attributes you have. Because if you remember everything that's happened to you, you generally remember that which is the most unfortunate.
Here we are the way politics ought to be in America; the politics of happiness, the politics of purpose and the politics of joy.
The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a mater-architect; in execution, the labors of many.
Man has been driven out of the paradise in which he could trust his instincts.
How often are the perpetrators of hate-crimes discovered to be self-loathing? Valued individuals do not strike out against strangers.
Intelligence has got the upper hand to such an extent that it transforms the real task into an unreal trick and reality into a play.
It is insane that two men, sitting on opposite sides of the world, should be able to decide to bring an end to civilization.
You've only got to begin to do anything to find out how few honest, honourable people there are. Sometimes, when I can't sleep, I think: "Oh Lord, you've given us huge forests, infinite fields, and endless horizons, and we, living here, ought really to be giants.
We kill at every step, not only in wars, riots and executions. We kill when we close our eyes to poverty, suffering and shame.In the same way all disrespect for life, all hard-heartedness,all indifference, all contempt is nothing else than killing.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.