Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within. Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Justice is never given; it is exacted.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Justice must be pursued actively rather than passively waiting for it to be granted.
This quote emphasizes the idea that justice is not something that is freely provided; instead, it must be pursued and demanded by those seeking it. A. Philip Randolph underscores the necessity of action and activism in the fight for justice, implying that individuals and communities must work hard to achieve fairness and equity rather than relying on others to bestow it upon them.
Themes
JusticeActionDemandEquityActivism
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for civil rights, one might say, 'Justice is never given; it is exacted, and we must fight for our rights.'
More from A. Philip Randolph
All quotes βWe must develop huge demonstrations, because the world is used to big dramatic affairs. They think in terms of hundreds of thousands and millions and billions... Billions of dollars are appropriated at the twinkling of an eye. Nothing little counts.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Negroes are in no mood to shoulder guns for democracy abroad while they are denied democracy here at home.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Since almost all Negroes are workers, live on wages, and suffer from the high cost of food, clothing and shelter, it is obvious that the Republican and Democratic Parties are opposed to their interests.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Negroes must be free in order to be equal, and they must be equal in order to be free... Men cannot win freedom unless they win equality. They cannot win equality unless they win freedom.
A. Philip RandolphRead
If someone tried to deprive you of your rights, you've got to resist it. You've got to resent it. You've got to fight against it.
A. Philip RandolphRead
Similar quotes
Justice should be blind especially color-blind and able to fairly deal with the very real need for honest law enforcement.
Kareem Abdul-JabbarRead
I don't share the view that the ICC is anti-African. The ICC is not putting Africa on trial. The ICC is fighting impunity and individuals who are accused of crimes.
Kofi AnnanRead
Charity is no substitute for justice. If we never challenge a social order that allows some to accumulate wealth--even if they decide to help the less fortunate--while others are short-changed, then even acts of kindness end up supporting unjust arrangements. We must never ignore the injustices that make charity necessary, or the inequalities that make it possible.
Michael Eric DysonRead
Because we always are feeling for justice for all that the reality is, unfortunately, the justice system is skewed, and often people of color do not receive appropriate justice in this country.
Martin Luther King IiiRead
We are confident. We have ourselves. We know how to sacrifice. We know how to work. We know how to combat the forces that oppose us. But even more than that, we are true believers in the whole idea of justice. Justice is so much on our side, that that is going to see us through.
Cesar ChavezRead
We cannot afford to regard as normal the presence of injustice, inhumanity, and violence, including their verbal and cyber manifestations.
Bernice KingRead