Activist Quote by Gloria Steinem
“I can only tell you the kind of power I want, which is the power to persuade. But I do not want the power to tell other people what to do. Persuade assumes that the other person is going to make the decision. Especially as a writer and an activist, I want the power to put ideas and possibilities out there, but I understand that they will only work if they are freely chosen, so I don't want the power to dictate or to force the choice, ever.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
The speaker values influence that encourages free choice over coercion, preferring persuasion to dictate.
In simple terms: Persuasion respects autonomy; control does not.
Key Takeaway
Seek to inspire, not command.
Themes
influence
autonomy
ethics
activism
writing
Mood
thoughtful
determined
hopeful
Type
ethical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- campaign planning
- public speaking
- writing workshops
- community organizing
Key Concepts
empowerment
choice
responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure your ideas are seen as invitations rather than directives?
- What safeguards prevent persuasive efforts from becoming coercive?
A Different Perspective
Persuasion may be ignored if the audience feels manipulated.
![“I like [Barak] Obama. I like him. So how far does rationality help to persuade anybody? You know, I'm not so sure.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da0/george-saunders-317_barak-obama_i-like-barak-obama-i-like-him-so-how-far_87954.jpg)
![“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)
