---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our nation has come so far since 1968…"
description: "\"Our nation has come so far since 1968 when Dr. King was assassinated, but I know we can do better to achieve The Dream, and that is why I keep marching..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg"
---

#  Our nation has come so far since 1968 when Dr. King was…

![“Our nation has come so far since 1968 when Dr. King was assassinated, but I know we can do better to achieve The Dream, and that is why I keep marching on.” quote by Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg)

> “Our nation has come so far since 1968 when Dr. King was assassinated, but I know we can do better to achieve The Dream, and that is why I keep marching on.”

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

## About This Quote

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

Progress has been made since 1968, yet the American Dream remains unfinished, requiring continued activism and hope.

**In simple terms:** We’ve improved, but must keep striving for the Dream.

Key Takeaway

Continue pushing for equity and justice.

Themes

justice hope activism progress equality

Mood

determined optimistic

Type

inspirational political

When to use this quote

- community organizing
- policy advocacy
- voter mobilization
- education reform

Key Concepts

American Dream civil rights movement social change

Questions to Reflect On

- What concrete steps can you take to advance the Dream?
- How can we sustain momentum despite setbacks?

A Different Perspective

Challenges include political polarization and systemic resistance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) [Achieve Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve-dream/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Better Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-achieve-1270929/) [Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come/) [Dr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dr/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dream Marching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-marching-5654575/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Far](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/far/) [Keep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keep/) [King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Marching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marching/) [Nation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nation/) [Our](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our/) [Since](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/since/) [Why](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/why/)

## Related quotes

> [No matter which way we go, it is no better than any other. It is all the same whether you achieve something or not,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-matter-which-way-we-go-it-is-no-better-than-any-other-it-is-all/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There is nothing that war has ever achieved that we could not better achieve without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/havelock-ellis/there-is-nothing-that-war-has-ever-achieved-that-we-could-not-better/)

[Havelock Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/havelock-ellis/)

> [Which is better: to achieve Nirvana, or become a Boddhissatva?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taner-edis/which-is-better-to-achieve-nirvana-or-become-a-boddhissatva/)

[Taner Edis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taner-edis/)

> [There is nothing that war has ever achieved we could not better achieve without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/havelock-ellis/there-is-nothing-that-war-has-ever-achieved-we-could-not-better/)

[Havelock Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/havelock-ellis/)

> [Why, I'd like nothing better than to achieve some bold adventure, worthy of our trip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristophanes/why-i-d-like-nothing-better-than-to-achieve-some-bold-adventure/)

[Aristophanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristophanes/)

> [“The importance of failure is that it reminds us that we can do better, be better, and achieve more”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asa-don-brown/the-importance-of-failure-is-that-it-reminds-us-that-we-can-do-better/)

[Asa Don Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asa-don-brown/)

> [For, as I suppose, no man in this world hath lived better than I have done, to achieve that I have done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-malory/for-as-i-suppose-no-man-in-this-world-hath-lived-better-than-i-have/)

[Thomas Malory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-malory/)

> [I was proud to march beside some of the most notable Civil Rights activists, such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rev.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-was-proud-to-march-beside-some-of-the-most-notable-civil-rights/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Dr. King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech was delivered at 'The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,' a call to justice beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/dr-king-s-famous-i-have-a-dream-speech-was-delivered-at-the-march-on/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [We all want a simpler code, but tax reform is about much more. It is about ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/we-all-want-a-simpler-code-but-tax-reform-is-about-much-more-it-is/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Under Saddam Hussein, the nation of Iraq possessed and used chemical weapons against both their own Kurdish population and Iranian military forces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/under-saddam-hussein-the-nation-of-iraq-possessed-and-used-chemical/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [“The only way to achieve a dream worth dreaming is to accept the reality that each victory that we experience along the way will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-only-way-to-achieve-a-dream-worth-dreaming-is-to-accept-the/)

[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

> [Only in America, where someone like me could have the opportunity to seek the highest office the world has to offer. Not only can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-christie/only-in-america-where-someone-like-me-could-have-the-opportunity-to/)

[Chris Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-christie/)

> [“I learned an important lesson about staying focused on the task at hand. It was important to have dreams, but if all you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jennings-hegar/i-learned-an-important-lesson-about-staying-focused-on-the-task-at/)

[Mary Jennings Hegar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jennings-hegar/)

> [If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you dream it, you can become it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-achieve-it-if-you-dream-it-you-can/)

[Leah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah/)

## More by Charles B. Rangel

> [I think that, as Americans, we should never forget that when we tamper with freedom of speech, it is a very sensitive issue that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-think-that-as-americans-we-should-never-forget-that-when-we-tamper/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [The Affordable Care Act has been designed to provide health security by driving competition, lowering premiums, and protecting families.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/the-affordable-care-act-has-been-designed-to-provide-health-security/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Since January 2003, at the height of the debate on the possible unilateral strike against Iraq, I have advocated for a reinstatement of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/since-january-2003-at-the-height-of-the-debate-on-the-possible/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Under Saddam Hussein, the nation of Iraq possessed and used chemical weapons against both their own Kurdish population and Iranian military forces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/under-saddam-hussein-the-nation-of-iraq-possessed-and-used-chemical/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Those of us in the Congress must confront and overcome Republican intransigence to increasing the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance and protecting food stamps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/those-of-us-in-the-congress-must-confront-and-overcome-republican/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [What are we Democrats fighting for? We are not fighting for salvation and going to heaven. But we are fighting for Medicaid, Medicare, health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/what-are-we-democrats-fighting-for-we-are-not-fighting-for-salvation/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [We all want a simpler code, but tax reform is about much more. It is about ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/we-all-want-a-simpler-code-but-tax-reform-is-about-much-more-it-is/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Manufactured scandals prohibit public servants from doing the job they were elected or appointed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/manufactured-scandals-prohibit-public-servants-from-doing-the-job/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [As a high school dropout, I understand the value of education: A second chance at obtaining my high school diploma through the G.I. Bill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/as-a-high-school-dropout-i-understand-the-value-of-education-a-second/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [I am proud to represent New York's 13th Congressional District, which has one of the largest and diverse populations in the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-am-proud-to-represent-new-york-s-13th-congressional-district-which/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [No one should go into debt if a family member gets sick or injured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/no-one-should-go-into-debt-if-a-family-member-gets-sick-or-injured/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [I went to college and law school with the help of the GI Bill. That experience moved me so much, I dedicated the rest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/i-went-to-college-and-law-school-with-the-help-of-the-gi-bill-that/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Since most American students cannot simply pay their full tuition out of pocket, financing a college education often takes the form of loans, both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/since-most-american-students-cannot-simply-pay-their-full-tuition-out/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [The right to vote should be considered sacred in our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/the-right-to-vote-should-be-considered-sacred-in-our-democracy/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

> [Whether you are Republican or Democrat or liberal or conservative, we should never, never, never allow ourselves emotionally to interfere with another person's right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/whether-you-are-republican-or-democrat-or-liberal-or-conservative-we/)

[Charles B. Rangel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

[Explore all 60 Charles B. Rangel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/)

## More Achieve 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/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/)

[Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/)

> [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/)

[Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/)

> [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/)

[Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/)

> [I'm a film guy. I love it. When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/)

[Deon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-taylor/)

> [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. Only he is great who subjects himself to taking part in the achievement of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/one-achieves-true-human-dignity-only-when-one-serves-only-he-is-great/)

[Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/)

> [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/)

[Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/)

> [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/)

[Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/)

> [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/if-your-only-goal-is-to-become-rich-you-will-never-achieve-it/)

[John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/)

> [To achieve something you've never achieved before, you must become someone you've never been before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubham-joshi/to-achieve-something-you-ve-never-achieved-before-you-must-become/)

[Shubham Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubham-joshi/)

> [I've identified as bisexual since I was a teenager, and if we want to achieve equality for all in our policies, we need more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hill/i-ve-identified-as-bisexual-since-i-was-a-teenager-and-if-we-want-to/)

[Katie Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hill/)

[Browse all 6,390 Achieve quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Our nation has come so far since 1968 when Dr. King was assassinated, but I know we can do better to achieve The Dream, and that is why I keep marching on.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Charles B. Rangel"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-when-dr-king-was-assassinated/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Achieve"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-when-dr-king-was-assassinated/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c1/charles-b-rangel-11289_achieve_our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-wh_3150584.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Our nation has come so far since 1968 when Dr. King was assassinated, but I know we can do better to achieve…” — Charles B. Rangel",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Charles B. Rangel",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-b-rangel/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Our nation has come so far...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-when-dr-king-was-assassinated/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-b-rangel/our-nation-has-come-so-far-since-1968-when-dr-king-was-assassinated/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```