Citizens Quote by Calvin Coolidge
“Numbered among our population are some 12,000,000 colored people. Under our Constitution their rights are just as sacred as those of any other citizen. It is both a public and a private duty to protect those rights. The Congress ought to exercise all its powers of prevention and punishment against the hideous crime of lynching, of which the negroes are by no means the sole sufferers, but for which they furnish a majority of the victims.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to Congress, 1925
Calls for federal action against lynching, emphasizing equal rights for Black citizens and collective responsibility to protect them.
In simple terms: Demand federal protection for Black citizens' rights against lynching.
Key Takeaway
Advocate and enforce anti‑lynching laws.
Themes
civil rights
justice
government responsibility
racial equality
Mood
determined
urgent
Type
political
advocacy
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- civil rights activism
- community education
- law enforcement training
Key Concepts
constitutional law
human rights
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can society address underlying racism beyond legal measures?
- What role should citizens play in protecting rights?
A Different Perspective
Enforcement alone may not change deep‑seated prejudice.
