I believed that, in a situation where the community that I came from were being treated like second- and third-class citizens, that I had a responsibility to fight back against it. And I don't apologise to anybody for having done that. I think it was the right thing to do.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a commitment to standing up against injustice and taking responsibility for one's community.
In this quote, Martin McGuinness emphasizes the moral obligation he felt to combat the discrimination and marginalization faced by his community. He asserts that fighting against such injustice is not something to be ashamed of, but rather a principled stance that he believes was necessary and right.
In practice
During a speech about civil rights, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of fighting injustice.
British rule depends upon repression and collaboration and the Irish people should recognise that those who collaborate with Britain in exchange for a slice of the cake will implement British policy and remain silent when Irish people are murdered and oppressed. It is they who are responsible for prolonging the war in Ireland. Without the quislings, without the collaborators, we would already have reached freedom.
What's important is that, when you're tested, you stand firm against the violent activities of those who would try to plunge our people back into the misery of the past.
The reality is that the people that we represent are no longer going to be second-class citizens in their own country.
I work tirelessly advocating for gun violence prevention and promoting common-sense gun laws that could spare other parents the pain of having their child taken by senseless gun violence - laws the NRA's leadership has fought against relentlessly.
To all the survivors out there, I want them to know that we are stronger and more resilient than we ever knew. We survived, that should be enough but it isn't. We must work hard to become whole again, to fill our soul with love and inspiration, to live the life that was intended for us before it was disrupted by war and horrors, and help rebuild a world that is better than the one we had just left.
There is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States-every man, woman, and child-is in action, and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives, and in our daily tasks.
I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein.
Sometimes you have to pick the gun up to put the Gun down.
Ever since the morning of May 29, 1953, when Tenzing Norgay and I became the first climbers to step onto the summit of Mount Everest, I've been called a great adventurer.
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