The basis for sustainable progress is legal protections grounded in an awareness of how identity has been used to deny opportunity.
Stacey AbramsRead
The obscenities of this country are not girls like you. It is the poverty which is obscene, and the criminal irresponsibility of the leaders who make this poverty a deadening reality. The obscenities in this country are the places of the rich, the new hotels made at the expense of the people, the hospitals where the poor die when they get sick because they don't have the money either for medicines or services. It is only in this light that the real definition of obscenity should be made.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques the moral failures of society, highlighting poverty and the irresponsibility of leaders as true obscenities.
In this powerful quote, F. Sionil Jose articulates a strong denunciation of societal flaws, arguing that the real obscenity lies not in the actions or appearances of individuals, but in the systemic poverty and the moral failure of those in power who perpetuate it. He emphasizes that such injustices are the true shame of a nation, and that the luxurious lifestyles of the affluent stand in stark contrast to the suffering of the poor, thus redefining what is truly obscene in society.
Themes
PovertyObscenitySocial JusticeLeadershipResponsibilitySociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing social inequality, one might quote this to illustrate the true sources of societal shame.
Similar quotes
There are people getting screwed in our country every single second, minute, hour of the day. And if by our work, we can decrease that number, we'll make a difference; we'll be doing our jobs.
Mazie HironoRead
Racism has its boot squarely wedged on the neck of black communities, and we don't want to be told that hard work and responsibility are the answer.
Patrisse CullorsRead
When we let cops talk about themselves as a separate community, then we are letting cops wall themselves off from the rest of us. We don't generally do that with any other jobs. We don't talk about the barista community or the Wal-Mart greeter community.
W. Kamau BellRead
Poverty, the racial divide and social injustice do not impact only those who suffer most visibly. Alleviating poverty and injustice is a responsibility we must never forget or abandon.
Marc MorialRead
I don't want our white working class sisters and brothers to feel as though their pain is not important because it is. But at the same time, I want my white sisters and brothers to understand that when we talk about income and wealth inequality, that disproportionately African Americans suffer a little more.
Nina TurnerRead