During past years, like frightened children, we were afraid to eat the strong meat of human rights and instead sucked the milk of civil rights from the breasts of white liberals, black Uncle Toms, and Aunt Jemimas.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.Read
Unless man is committed to the belief that all mankind are his brothers, then he labors in vain and hypocritically in the vineyards of equality.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True equality requires a commitment to brotherhood among all humanity.
This quote emphasizes the importance of believing in the interconnectedness of all people. Without this fundamental belief in our shared humanity, efforts towards equality become empty and insincere, suggesting that genuine social change stems from a heartfelt commitment rather than mere actions or words.
Themes
EqualityBrotherhoodHumanityCommitmentSocial Change
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about social justice to emphasize the need for unity.
More from Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
All quotes →Tremendous changes are taking place in our country, eradicating the concept of second-class citizenship.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.Read
Where Negroes provide 20 percent of the vote, they should have 20 per cent of the jobs.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.Read
I am the product of the sustained indignation of a branded grandfather, the militant protest of my grandmother, the disciplined resentment of my father and mother, and the power of the mass action of the church.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.Read
The black masses must demand and refuse to accept nothing less than that proportionate percentage of the political spoils such as jobs, elective offices and appointments... They must reject the shameful racial tokenism that characterizes the political life of America today.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.Read
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