One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to portray President Gerald Ford, a first-rate athlete, as a klutz.
Nicholas KristofRead
Gays and lesbians began to gain civil rights when Americans realized that their brothers, cousins, daughters were gay.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that awareness of personal connections can drive societal change regarding civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Nicholas Kristof's quote reflects the transformative power of personal relationships in fostering empathy and understanding towards LGBTQ+ rights. As people recognize that their loved ones identify as gay or lesbian, they are more likely to advocate for their rights, demonstrating how personal connections can catalyze broader societal acceptance and change.
Themes
Civil RightsLgbtqAwarenessChangeAcceptance
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech for LGBTQ+ rights, one might refer to this quote to highlight the importance of familial connections in advocating for change.
More from Nicholas Kristof
All quotes βA basic element of the American dream is equal access to education as the lubricant of social and economic mobility.
Nicholas KristofRead
Worrying about bills, food, or other problems leaves less capacity to think ahead or to exert self-discipline. So, poverty imposes a mental tax.
Nicholas KristofRead
Most moms and dads, they want to be good moms and dads. But it's an incredibly hard job when you are stressed out, when you are poor, when your life is in chaos. And giving them some of the tools to be better parents, to whittle away at that parenting gap, gives those kids a much better starting point in life.
Nicholas KristofRead
Since the end of the 1970s, something has gone profoundly wrong in America. Inequality has soared. Educational progress slowed. Incarceration rates quintupled. Family breakdown accelerated. Median household income stagnated.
Nicholas KristofRead
The news media's silence, particularly television news, is reprehensible. If we knew as much about Darfur as we do about Michael Jackson, we might be able to stop these things from continuing.
Nicholas KristofRead
Similar quotes
The most important thing about myself is that my life has been full of changes. Therefore, when I observe the world, I don't expect to see it just like I was seeing the fellow who lives in the next room.
Chinua AchebeRead
Change the story and you change perception; change perception and you change the world.
Jean HoustonRead
Conversations create change. It's easy to call someone 'enemy,' but there's more to it, right?
Elliot PageRead
It's time to fundamentally change the way that we do business in Washington. To help build a new foundation for the 21st century, we need to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative. That will demand new thinking and a new sense of responsibility for every dollar that is spent.
Barack ObamaRead
I was surprised, as always, be how easy the act of leaving was, and how good it felt. The world was suddenly rich with possibility.
Jack KerouacRead
While law-abiding Muslims are forced to hide in their homes, and animal-rights activists are labeled as terrorists for undercover filming of abusive treatment at factory farms, right-wing hate groups are free to organize, parade, arm themselves to the hilt and murder with chilling regularity. Itβs time for our society to confront this very real threat.
Amy GoodmanRead