QuoteProject
One day after laying a wreath at the tomb of Martin Luther King Jr., President Bush appoints a federal judge who has built his career around dismantling Dr. King's legacy.
Hillary Clinton
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the contradiction in honoring a legacy while simultaneously undermining it through actions.

Hillary Clinton's quote points out the irony of commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by laying a wreath at his tomb, only to follow it up with the appointment of a judge known for activities that dismantle the very principles King stood for. This reflection emphasizes the complexities and contradictions often found in political actions and how they can silently contradict the ideals they outwardly appear to support.

Themes

LegacyInjusticeHypocrisyPoliticsAction

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech discussing social justice, one might reference this quote to highlight the importance of consistent advocacy for civil rights.

More from Hillary Clinton

It's important to underscore this overriding fact: women are not just victims of conflict-they are agents of peace and agents of change.
Hillary ClintonRead
The worst thing that can happen in a democracy - as well as in an individual's life - is to become cynical about the future and lose hope.
Hillary ClintonRead
First, we parents have to back up school authority and quit making excuses for our kids when they misbehave.
Hillary ClintonRead
The first lesson I've learned is that no matter what you do in your life, you have to figure out your own internal rhythms - I mean, what works for you doesn't necessarily work for your friend.
Hillary ClintonRead
I feel like every day, every minute I have to make the most of.
Hillary ClintonRead
It does not matter what country we live in, who our leaders are, or even who we are. Because we are human, we therefore have rights. And because we have rights, governments are bound to protect them.
Hillary ClintonRead

Similar quotes

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.
James MadisonRead
The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.
Thomas JeffersonRead
No government can help the destinies of people who insist in putting sectional and class consciousness ahead of general weal.
Franklin D. RooseveltRead
Terrorism is the war of the poor, and war is the terrorism of the rich.
Peter UstinovRead
I dont think that unless a greater effort is made by the Government to win popular support that the war can be won out there. In the final analysis, it is their war. They are the ones who have to win it or lose it. We can help them, we can give them equipment, we can send our men out there as advisers, but they have to win it, the people of Viet-Nam, against the Communists.
John F. KennedyRead
If someone is cynical and doesn't vote and ends up with a crummy job in a crummy country with a decimated environment, they only have themselves to blame.
MobyRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.