Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.
Jesse JacksonRead
When journalists and politicians speak of a dwindling middle class that's under economic assault and a poor community that's getting bigger, they're talking about Ferguson. Independent of the racial demographics and dynamics of Ferguson, Missouri, there's a 'Ferguson' near you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the universal struggle of the middle and lower classes against economic challenges, using Ferguson as a symbol for similar situations everywhere.
Jesse Jackson's quote reflects on the broader socioeconomic issues faced by the middle and lower classes in society. By referencing Ferguson, Missouri, he illustrates that the challenges of economic inequality, deteriorating communities, and social injustice are not isolated to one location but are prevalent in various forms across different regions. This serves as a call to awareness and action regarding the socioeconomic disparities affecting people everywhere.
Themes
FergusonMiddle ClassEconomic StruggleInequalityCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about economic reform to emphasize that the situation in Ferguson reflects a national issue.
More from Jesse Jackson
All quotes →Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive.
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His foreparents came to America in immigrant ships. My foreparents came to America in slave ships. But whatever the original ships, we are both in the same boat tonight.
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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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