Remember and help America remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
Somehow we are going to have to develop a concept of enough for those at the top and at the bottom so that the necessities of the many are not sacrificed for the luxuries of the few.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of balancing resources to ensure that everyone's basic needs are met without allowing the wealthy to overindulge.
Marian Wright Edelman's quote highlights the ethical responsibility to create a society where the needs of all individuals are met. It suggests that while some people possess great wealth, it is essential to find a way for society to ensure that the basic necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, are accessible to everyone. This balance prevents the sacrifices of the majority for the excessive comforts enjoyed by a privileged few, advocating for a collective sense of responsibility in addressing poverty and inequality.
Themes
EnoughBalanceNecessitiesLuxuriesSocietyResponsibilityInequality
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting, we can use this quote to address issues of wealth disparity.
More from Marian Wright Edelman
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Dr. King used to say, 'I was sitting in the back of the bus, but my mind was always up front.' Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it. You aim high and you work very hard and now I think it's clear that you can be anything you want to.
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The outside world told black kids when I was growing up that we weren't worth anything. But our parents said it wasn't so, and our churches and our schoolteachers said it wasn't so. They believed in us, and we, therefore, believed in ourselves.
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I was taught that the world had a lot of problems; that I could struggle and change them; that intellectual and material gifts brought the privilege and responsibility of sharing with others less fortunate; and that service is the rent each of us pays for living - the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time or after you have reached your personal goals.
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We must always refill and ensure there is a critical mass of leaders and activists committed to nonviolence and racial and economic justice who will keep seeding and building transforming movements.
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