--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Until the chance for political…" description: "\"Until the chance for political participation is there, we who are poor will continue to attack the soft part of the American system - its economic stru..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/cesar-chavez-2137_action_until-the-chance-for-political-participa_1225082.png" --- # Until the chance for political participation is there, we… ![“Until the chance for political participation is there, we who are poor will continue to attack the soft part of the American system - its economic structure. We will build power through boycotts, strikes, new union - whatever techniques we can develop. These attacks on the status quo will come…” quote by Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/cesar-chavez-2137_action_until-the-chance-for-political-participa_1225082.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/cesar-chavez-2137_action_until-the-chance-for-political-participa_1225082.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c8a/cesar-chavez-2137_action_until-the-chance-for-political-participa_1225082.png) > “Until the chance for political participation is there, we who are poor will continue to attack the soft part of the American system - its economic structure. We will build power through boycotts, strikes, new union - whatever techniques we can develop. These attacks on the status quo will come, not because we hate, but because we know America can construct a humane society for all its citizens - and that if it does not, there will chaos.” [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The poor will target economic structures when political power is lacking, using collective actions to push for a humane society, else chaos ensues. **In simple terms:** Poor use economic power to demand fairness. Key Takeaway Organize and pressure economic systems. Themes activism economics political power social change Mood determined hopeful Type activist strategic When to use this quote - labor disputes - community organizing - policy advocacy Key Concepts collective action boycotts strikes union building Questions to Reflect On - How can marginalized groups gain political influence? - What strategies balance economic pressure with political dialogue? A Different Perspective Economic attacks may provoke backlash if not paired with political engagement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Boycott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boycott/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Chaos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaos/) [Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizens/) [Constructs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constructs/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Humane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane/) [Humane society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humane-society/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Participation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participation/) [Participation Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/participation-poor-3767023/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Political participation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political-participation/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Society Citizens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society-citizens-1210782/) [Status quo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/status-quo/) [Strikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strikes/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) [Unions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unions/) ## Related quotes > [In the final analysis it doesn't really matter what the political system is...We don't need perfect political systems; we need perfect participation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/in-the-final-analysis-it-doesn-t-really-matter-what-the-political/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [More humane societies are usually smaller, like the Scandinavian countries and Holland, where it is much easier to reach consensus and cooperation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-korten/more-humane-societies-are-usually-smaller-like-the-scandinavian/) [David Korten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-korten/) > [The Humane Society of America thinks Michael Vick should have a dog. I think whoever's in charge there should have a lobotomy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-vachss/the-humane-society-of-america-thinks-michael-vick-should-have-a-dog-i/) [Andrew Vachss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-vachss/) > [We have no ethical obligation to preserve the different breeds of livestock produced through selective breeding One generation and out. We have no problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/we-have-no-ethical-obligation-to-preserve-the-different-breeds-of/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [It is one of history's great ironies that capitalists built decent and humane societies on the basis of an amoral approach to the economics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-d-williamson/it-is-one-of-history-s-great-ironies-that-capitalists-built-decent/) [Kevin D. Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-d-williamson/) > [I work with the Humane Society a lot and have three rescue cats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/i-work-with-the-humane-society-a-lot-and-have-three-rescue-cats/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [At The Humane Society of the United States, we know how difficult it is to prevent cruelty to animals in movies because so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/at-the-humane-society-of-the-united-states-we-know-how-difficult-it/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [The Humane Society is so great to work with. Because everyone there is so nice and supportive, and they're all animal lovers like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-thorne/the-humane-society-is-so-great-to-work-with-because-everyone-there-is/) [Bella Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-thorne/) > [There are a lot of great animal rights organizations who save dogs and save cats, but the Humane Society is actually really good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moby/there-are-a-lot-of-great-animal-rights-organizations-who-save-dogs/) [Moby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moby/) > [I feel it is our inherent duty as a humane society, above any intangible responsibility, to invest in our world's children's potential, passion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masiela-lusha/i-feel-it-is-our-inherent-duty-as-a-humane-society-above-any/) [Masiela Lusha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masiela-lusha/) > [I've always wanted to work with dogs, so in high school, I worked at the Humane Society for a little while. I honestly think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-lawson/i-ve-always-wanted-to-work-with-dogs-so-in-high-school-i-worked-at/) [Maggie Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-lawson/) > [Terms like that, 'Humane Society,' are devised with people like me in mind, who don't care to dwell on what happens to the innocent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/terms-like-that-humane-society-are-devised-with-people-like-me-in/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [The work of volunteer groups throughout our country represents the very heart and soul of America. They have helped make this the most compassionate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-work-of-volunteer-groups-throughout-our-country-represents-the/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The only possibility in the United States for a humane society would be a revolution with Elvis Presley as leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-ochs/the-only-possibility-in-the-united-states-for-a-humane-society-would/) [Phil Ochs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-ochs/) > [Trade unions have been an essential force for social change, without which a semblance of a decent and humane society is impossible under capitalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/trade-unions-have-been-an-essential-force-for-social-change-without/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## More by Cesar Chavez > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [If you win non-violently, then you have a double victory, you have not only won your fight, but you remain free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/if-you-win-non-violently-then-you-have-a-double-victory-you-have-not/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [When we are really honest with ourselves we must admit our lives are all that really belong to us. So it is how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/when-we-are-really-honest-with-ourselves-we-must-admit-our-lives-are/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [We know we cannot be kind to animals until we stop exploiting them -- exploiting animals in the name of science, exploiting animals in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-know-we-cannot-be-kind-to-animals-until-we-stop-exploiting-them/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [Non-violence has suffered its biggest defeat in the hands of people who most want to talk about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/non-violence-has-suffered-its-biggest-defeat-in-the-hands-of-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [it is clearly evident that our path travels through a valley of teas well known to all farm workers, because in all valleys the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/it-is-clearly-evident-that-our-path-travels-through-a-valley-of-teas/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [The people who give you their food give you their heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/the-people-who-give-you-their-food-give-you-their-heart/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [The name of the game is to talk to people. If you don't talk to people, you can't get started...You knock on twenty doors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/the-name-of-the-game-is-to-talk-to-people-if-you-don-t-talk-to-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [...people think non-violence is really weak and non-militant. These are misconceptions that people have because they don't understand what non-violence means. Non-violence takes more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/people-think-non-violence-is-really-weak-and-non-militant-these-are/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [We shall strike. We shall organize boycotts. We shall demonstrate and have political campaigns. We shall pursue the revolution we have proposed. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-shall-strike-we-shall-organize-boycotts-we-shall-demonstrate-and/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [There are vivid memories from my childhood - what we had to go through because of low wages and the conditions, basically because there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/there-are-vivid-memories-from-my-childhood-what-we-had-to-go-through/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [Self dedication is a spiritual experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/self-dedication-is-a-spiritual-experience/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness, is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally nonviolent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/i-am-convinced-that-the-truest-act-of-courage-the-strongest-act-of/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/you-cannot-oppress-the-people-who-are-not-afraid-anymore/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [When workers fall back on violence, they are lost. Oh, they might win some of their demands and might end a strike a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/when-workers-fall-back-on-violence-they-are-lost-oh-they-might-win/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) [Explore all 183 Cesar Chavez quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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