Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.
You must never stop dreaming. Face reality, yes. But don't stop with the way things are; dream of things as they ought to be. Dream of peace. Peace is rational and reasonable. War is irrational in this age and unwinnable.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of dreaming and envisioning a better world despite the harsh realities of life.
Jesse Jackson's quote urges individuals to maintain their dreams and aspirations, even when faced with challenging circumstances. It highlights the contrast between the current state of reality and the potential for a better future, particularly in the context of peace versus conflict. By advocating for dreaming of peace, Jackson presents a vision that aligns with rationality and hope, suggesting that while war may seem inevitable, it is ultimately an unwinnable and irrational choice. His call to action encourages a mindset focused on what could be rather than what is.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a motivational speech about striving for a peaceful future.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Similar quotes
The passage of time has not altered the capacity of the Redeemer to change men’s lives. As he said to the dead Lazarus, so he says to you and me: “come forth.” Come forth from the despair of doubt. Come forth from the sorrow of sin. Come forth from the death of disbelief. Come forth to a newness of life. Come forth.
Ever since I lost my limb and started walking with a prosthetic leg, I had been working only on my goal of conquering the 29,000 feet summit. Now that it has been achieved, my next goal is the Seven Summits.
My greatest mistake is that my dreams were too small.
They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they could say that about, someone to look up to and try to equal.
Whoever we are here, we might be princesses somewhere else. Or writers. Or scientists. Or presidents. Or whatever the hell we want to be that everyone else says we can't.
I've always felt compelled to explore range, because, as far as I know, we're only here once. So let's see how much we can encompass.