Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.
Jesse JacksonRead
There's a full-court press to put down an uprising around Ferguson, but no preparation for lifting up the people there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the disparity in efforts to suppress unrest rather than addressing the underlying issues faced by the community.
Jesse Jackson's quote reflects on the societal and governmental tendency to focus on controlling and quelling protests and unrest, particularly in places like Ferguson, rather than investing in the community and supporting its people. It suggests a critical need for proactive measures that uplift and empower communities, especially in times of crisis, instead of merely reacting to the unrest that arises from systemic issues.
Themes
FergusonUprisingUpliftSocietyControl
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during community meetings advocating for social change.
More from Jesse Jackson
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Leaders must be tough enough to fight, tender enough to cry, human enough to make mistakes, humble enough to admit them, strong enough to absorb the pain, and resilient enough to bounce back and keep on moving.
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Look at the coded language the Right is using against President Barack Obama. Openly calling him a liar in Congress, saying he is 'not a Christian, he was not born here, he is not one of us.' That makes addressing such issues trickier for the first African-American in the White House.
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Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise isn't the presence of justice - and we must demand justice in Ferguson and the other 'Fergusons' around America.
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