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
Unless children have strong education and strong families and strong communities and decent housing, it's not enough to go sit in at a lunch counter.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Education, family, and community support are essential for effective change.
Marian Wright Edelman's quote emphasizes that for children to thrive and contribute positively to society, they require not only access to education but also strong familial and community support, as well as adequate living conditions. Merely addressing superficial issues, like protesting at a lunch counter, is insufficient if the foundational elements of their growth and stability are lacking.
Themes
EducationFamilyCommunityChildrenSupport
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community development, this quote can highlight the need for holistic support for children.
More from Marian Wright Edelman
All quotes βFar less wealthy industrialized countries have committed to end child poverty, while the United States is sliding backwards. We can do better. We must demand that our leaders do better.
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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.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
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.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
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.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
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.
Marian Wright EdelmanRead
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