Racial prejudices are indication of a disturbed and potentially unstable society.
Interpretation
Racial prejudices reflect societal instability and unrest.
This quote by Kenneth Clark emphasizes that the presence of racial prejudices serves as a warning signal of deeper societal issues. It suggests that when a society harbors biases based on race, it may indicate a failure in social cohesion and stability, potentially leading to conflict and unrest if left unaddressed.
In practice
During a speech on social justice, one might quote Kenneth Clark to highlight the importance of combating racism.
The recognized achievements of some Negroes, despite rigid racial barriers, indicate that society by its prejudices may be depriving itself of valuable contributions from many others. It is now doubtful whether America can afford the luxury of such a waste of human resources.
No nude, however abstract, should fail to arouse in the spectator some vestige of erotic feeling, even if it be only the faintest shadow - and if it does not do so it is bad art and false morals.
Our fathers founded the first secular government that was ever founded in this world. Recollect that. The first secular government - the first government that said every church has exactly the same rights and no more; every religion has the same rights, and no more.
And without a doubt it is more comfortable to endure blind bondage than to work for one's liberation; the dead, too, are better suited to the earth than the living.
There is no desire that anyone holds for any other reason than that they believe they will feel better in the achievement of it. Whether it is a material object, a physical state of being, a relationship, a condition, or a circumstance - at the heart of every desire is the desire to feel good. And so, the standard of success in life is not the things or the money - the standard of success is absolutely the amount of joy you feel.
I would like to see us get this place right first before we have the arrogance to put significantly flawed civilizations out onto other planets, even though they may be utterly uninhabited.
The right to agree with others is not a problem in any society; it is the right to disagree that is crucial. It is the institution of private property that protects and implements the right to disagree - and thus keeps the road open to man's most valuable attribute: the creative mind.
There is nothing wrong with America that faith, love of freedom, intelligence, and energy of her citizens cannot cure.
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