Skip to content

Elites Quote by John Lewis

“We believe some people are more special, more beautiful, more capable, more influential, more intelligent, more gifted, and have a greater capacity for good than others, often based on material possessions and outer appearances. At the root, that is why we are engaged in a struggle now in the…” quote by John Lewis
Download Open image
““We believe some people are more special, more beautiful, more capable, more influential, more intelligent, more gifted, and have a greater capacity for good than others, often based on material possessions and outer appearances. At the root, that is why we are engaged in a struggle now in the Congress led by one group of people who truly believes their role is to defend the privileges of the elite. They defend tax breaks for the rich and ask for trillions in cuts to the safety nets that protect the middle class, the elderly, the sick, and the poor, because, in essence, they believe one group is more important than the other, more deserving than the other, and one contributes more good than the other. This is actually an illusion that is blind to the interdependence of the entire creation, which unites the weak with the strong, the privileged with the poor, and the ugly with the beautiful. All the inequities of our world are basically attempts to actualize this erroneous belief. And that is why there is turmoil, because we are in conflict with the truth, working to manifest an idea that is false.””

John Lewis

About This Quote

Source Speech: Congressional Address, 2020

People claim superiority based on wealth or appearance, creating false hierarchies that ignore humanity’s interdependence.

In simple terms: False hierarchies harm everyone.

Key Takeaway

Recognize shared humanity.

Themes

equality justice interdependence

Mood

critical urgent

Type

political social

When to use this quote

  • policy debates
  • public discourse
  • activism

Key Concepts

social stratification ethical illusion

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we expose hidden biases?
  • What steps foster true equality?
A Different Perspective

Changing entrenched beliefs is difficult.

3.4 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by John Lewis

Explore all 258 John Lewis quotes

More Elites quotes

Browse all 615 Elites quotes