The March on Washington was a March for Jobs and Freedom. There are still too many people who are unemployed or underemployed in America - they're black, white, Latino, Native American and Asian American.
John LewisRead
I say to people today, 'You must be prepared if you believe in something. If you believe in something, you have to go for it. As individuals, we may not live to see the end.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
Believing in something requires preparation and action, regardless of the outcome.
This quote from John Lewis emphasizes the importance of commitment and preparedness in the pursuit of one's beliefs. It suggests that true dedication involves taking action towards a cause, even if the impact of those actions might not be realized in one's lifetime, thereby highlighting the values of courage and perseverance in advocating for what one believes in.
Themes
BeliefActionCommitmentCouragePreparedness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire youth activists.
More from John Lewis
All quotes →The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in the American society.
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Customs, traditions, laws should be flexible, within good reason, if that is what it takes to make our democracy work.
John LewisRead
We need someone who is going to stand up, speak up, and speak out for the people who need help, for the people who have been discriminated against.
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If it hadn't been for that march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on Bloody Sunday, there would be no Barack Obama as President of the United States of America.
John LewisRead
Sometimes I hear people saying, 'Nothing has changed.' Come and walk in my shoes.
John LewisRead
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I will go down with my colours flying.
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