I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the significant struggles faced by a large portion of the population regarding basic needs.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote draws attention to the dire conditions experienced by a significant part of the nation, emphasizing the urgent need for social reform and support for those who are underserved. It serves as a call to action to recognize and address the disparities in housing, clothing, and nutrition that affect many individuals, urging society to respond with compassion and policy changes for improvement.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, I referenced Rooseveltβs quote to emphasize the importance of addressing poverty in our policies.
There has been one persistent theme through all Axis propaganda. This theme has been that Americans are admittedly rich, that Americans have considerable industrial power - but that Americans are soft and decadent, that they cannot and will not unite and work and fight. ... Let them tell that to the Marines!
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
A war of ideas can no more be won without books than a naval war can be won without ships. Books, like ships, have the toughest armor, the longest cruising range, and mount the most powerful guns.
Better the occasional faults of a government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a government frozen in the ice of its own indifference.
Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.
A world turned into a stereotype, a society converted into a regiment, a life translated into a routine, make it difficult for either art or artists to survive. Crush individuality in society and you crush art as well. Nourish the conditions of a free life and you nourish the arts, too.
It seems very strange ... that in the course of the world's history so obvious an improvement should never have been adopted. ... The next generation of Britishers would be the better for having had this extra hour of daylight in their childhood.
We are not going to be satisfied by politicians saying 'we support you' and then walking away. We won't be satisfied until they meet our demands and act. That's why simply taking a selfie or posting support on Twitter isn't enough. That's why we have to keep striking.
Laws on hate speech and hate crimes do important work in a world that has been rooted in racism and bigotry since the inception of this country, which was not founded on ideals of justice.
We must leave this terrifying place to-morrow and go searching for sunshine.
A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery.
There is nothing permanent except change. Nothing is permanent except change. The only constant is change. Change is the only constant. Change alone is unchanging.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.