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I remember reading [ Studs Terkel's] "Working" when it…

“I remember reading [ Studs Terkel's] "Working" when it first came out and just finding that very powerful. I was going into community organizing. What stuck was to reveal the sacredness of ordinary people's lives. That everybody has a story. And I think Studs is terrific at drawing out that…” quote by Barack Obama
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“I remember reading [ Studs Terkel's] "Working" when it first came out and just finding that very powerful. I was going into community organizing. What stuck was to reveal the sacredness of ordinary people's lives. That everybody has a story. And I think Studs is terrific at drawing out that shimmering quality of people's everyday struggles.”

Barack Obama

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ordinary lives hold deep value; sharing them reveals collective humanity.

In simple terms: Everyday stories are sacred.

Key Takeaway

Listen to and honor common experiences.

Themes

empathy storytelling community

Mood

inspirational thoughtful

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • journalism
  • education

Key Concepts

human dignity social narrative

Questions to Reflect On

  • What everyday story has changed your view?
  • How can we protect the dignity of ordinary lives?
A Different Perspective

Stories can be oversimplified, losing nuance.

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