Activist Quote by Andrew Young
““Nothing is illegal if one hundred businessmen decide to do it. -Andrew Young, author, civil rights activist, US congressman, mayor, and UN ambassador (b. 1932)””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Civil Rights Rally, 1975
Legal norms are shaped by collective power; majority decisions can legitimize illegal actions.
In simple terms: Power can redefine legality.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, protect rights.
Themes
law
power
ethics
civil rights
politics
Mood
cautionary
urgent
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- advocating policy reform
- organizing community action
- teaching civic responsibility
Key Concepts
social justice
legal theory
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- Who decides what is legal?
- How to protect minorities against majority overreach?
A Different Perspective
Risk of majoritarian tyranny.
![“Some kinds of activists are more willing to try stuff out, see if works and think on their feet, but some of the people who are working on [change] find that very difficult: They've been schooled into thinking you have to come up with the perfect plan in advance. It has become a bit technocratic.” quote by Duncan Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d17/duncan-green-20105_activist_some-kinds-of-activists-are-more-willing_57391.jpg)
