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
Sometimes you have to not just dream about what could be - you get out and push and you pull and you preach. And you create a climate and environment to get those in high places, to get men and women of good will in power to act.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of taking action to bring about change rather than just dreaming of it.
John Lewis highlights the necessity of active participation in creating an environment conducive to change. Rather than merely envisioning a better future, individuals must take initiative, work diligently, and collaborate with others to influence those in positions of power to enact positive changes in society.
Themes
ActionChangeDreamsLeadershipAdvocacy
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech at a community gathering, one might say this quote to inspire collective action.
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.
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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.'
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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
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The man who is gloomy, taciturn and lives in a world of doubt seldom achieves more than a bare living. There have been a few who have groaned their way through to a competence, but in proportion to that overwhelming number of souls who carry cheer through life, they are as nothing - mere drops in the bucket.
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I learned early that I had to work harder than the white kids and harder than the boys.
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It is easy to get to the top after you get through the crowd at the bottom.
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A dream is a vision, a goal is a promise. You can keep your promises to yourself by remaining flexible, focused, and committed.
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