--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our goal was not freedom. Freedom was the…" description: "\"Our goal was not freedom. Freedom was the necessary prerequisite to get to equality.\" — Jesse Jackson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/jesse-jackson-1161_black_our-goal-was-not-freedom-freedom-was-the_1312435.jpg" --- # Our goal was not freedom. Freedom was the necessary… ![“Our goal was not freedom. Freedom was the necessary prerequisite to get to equality.” quote by Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/jesse-jackson-1161_black_our-goal-was-not-freedom-freedom-was-the_1312435.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/jesse-jackson-1161_black_our-goal-was-not-freedom-freedom-was-the_1312435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/jesse-jackson-1161_black_our-goal-was-not-freedom-freedom-was-the_1312435.jpg) > “Our goal was not freedom. Freedom was the necessary prerequisite to get to equality.” [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Freedom is a prerequisite that must be secured before true equality can be achieved. **In simple terms:** Freedom needed before equality. Key Takeaway Secure liberty first to achieve equality. Themes justice freedom equality rights politics Mood determined hopeful Type political motivational When to use this quote - legislative reform - grassroots activism - education campaigns Key Concepts civil rights social foundations policy making Questions to Reflect On - What freedoms are still lacking? - How can we ensure freedom leads to equality? A Different Perspective Freedom alone doesn't guarantee equality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-history/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [“Every witch has a goal before they start to learn. Some want them for healing purposes, some for awakening their hidden purposes in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alisonswan/every-witch-has-a-goal-before-they-start-to-learn-some-want-them-for/) [Alisonswan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alisonswan/) > [I say to you that our goal is freedom, and I believe we are going to get there because however much she strays away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-say-to-you-that-our-goal-is-freedom-and-i-believe-we-are-going-to/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Even if our motives are presently misunderstood. We will reach the goal of freedom in Birmingham and all over the nation, because the goal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/even-if-our-motives-are-presently-misunderstood-we-will-reach-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [We must work passionately and unrelentingly for the goal of freedom, but we must be sure that our hands are clean in the struggle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-work-passionately-and-unrelentingly-for-the-goal-of-freedom/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Loneliness is a prerequisite for freedom. Freedom depends on the ability to reflect, and reflection can only begin when one is alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gao-xingjian/loneliness-is-a-prerequisite-for-freedom-freedom-depends-on-the/) [Gao Xingjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gao-xingjian/) > [Beginning writers must appreciate the prerequisites if they hope to become writers. You pay your dues - which takes years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-haley/beginning-writers-must-appreciate-the-prerequisites-if-they-hope-to/) [Alex Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-haley/) > [Freedom is necessary for two reasons. It's necessary for the individual, because the individual, no matter how good the society is, every individual has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/freedom-is-necessary-for-two-reasons-it-s-necessary-for-the/) [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/) > [Character is not the enemy of self-expression and personal freedom, it is their necessary precondition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-q-wilson/character-is-not-the-enemy-of-self-expression-and-personal-freedom-it/) [James Q. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-q-wilson/) > [Humans were free before the word freedom became necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/humans-were-free-before-the-word-freedom-became-necessary/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Freedom is necessary for honesty, honesty for integrity, integrity for power, power for creativity, and all of them for intimacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-johnson/freedom-is-necessary-for-honesty-honesty-for-integrity-integrity-for/) [Sonia Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-johnson/) > [“It must not be forgotten that it is especially dangerous to enslave men in the minor details of life. For my own part, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/it-must-not-be-forgotten-that-it-is-especially-dangerous-to-enslave-2/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Freedom to me is a luxury of being able to follow the path of the heart, to keep the magic in your life. Freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/freedom-to-me-is-a-luxury-of-being-able-to-follow-the-path-of-the/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Ultimately freedom is necessary for a society, because every despotic society - for instance, the Russian society - lives on the basis of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-niebuhr/ultimately-freedom-is-necessary-for-a-society-because-every-despotic/) [Reinhold Niebuhr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-niebuhr/) > [“There is something beyond freedom that people need: work, love, belief in something, commitment to something. Freedom is not enough.It's necessary but it'd not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/there-is-something-beyond-freedom-that-people-need-work-love-belief/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [It must not be forgotten that it is especially dangerous to enslave men in the minor details of life. For my part, I should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/it-must-not-be-forgotten-that-it-is-especially-dangerous-to-enslave/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) ## More by Jesse Jackson > [If my mind can conceive it ,and my heart can believe it,i known I can achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/if-my-mind-can-conceive-it-and-my-heart-can-believe-it-i-known-i-can/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We reveal our joys and successes, we conceal our pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-reveal-our-joys-and-successes-we-conceal-our-pain/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We blacks were the first people embracing Obama, long before the people at expensive fundraisers were supporting him. We gave him his first love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-blacks-were-the-first-people-embracing-obama-long-before-the/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [The coffers are full of money and equipment for the Ferguson Police and the Missouri National Guard to put down a potential uprising, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/the-coffers-are-full-of-money-and-equipment-for-the-ferguson-police/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. But quiet isn't enough. The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [What's good for the very rich might not be good for anybody but them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/what-s-good-for-the-very-rich-might-not-be-good-for-anybody-but-them/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Those who have the most wealth and the most property, their children have the first, the best, and the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/those-who-have-the-most-wealth-and-the-most-property-their-children/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/most-blacks-will-argue-that-they-excel-because-of-hard-work-because/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Pictures can live in one's memory. That's why they are important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/pictures-can-live-in-one-s-memory-that-s-why-they-are-important/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [A check or credit card, a Gucci bag strap, anything of value will do. Give as you live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/a-check-or-credit-card-a-gucci-bag-strap-anything-of-value-will-do/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [When they wrote the Constitution, only white male landowners had the right to vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/when-they-wrote-the-constitution-only-white-male-landowners-had-the/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I'm too mature to be angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/i-m-too-mature-to-be-angry/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We picked their cotton. We cooked their food. We nursed their babies. Now we can run their cities. We can run their states. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-picked-their-cotton-we-cooked-their-food-we-nursed-their-babies/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [There are clear patterns of discrimination against Blacks and Latinos. The big banks targeted Blacks and Latinos with toxic packages of subprime predatory lending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/there-are-clear-patterns-of-discrimination-against-blacks-and-latinos/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Few would deny that blacks have become very dominant in athletics: football, basketball, track, now dominant in tennis and dominant in golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/few-would-deny-that-blacks-have-become-very-dominant-in-athletics/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) [Explore all 281 Jesse Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) ## More Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If soot stains your tunic, dye it black. This is vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/if-soot-stains-your-tunic-dye-it-black-this-is-vengeance/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) Browse all 11,655 Black quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our goal was not freedom. 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