--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am concerned that there are some…" description: "\"I am concerned that there are some feelings in some quarters in some corners that, what do people of color want now? We elected Barack Obama as preside..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/john-lewis-1310_beloved-community_i-am-concerned-that-there-are-some-feeli_2351263.jpg" --- # I am concerned that there are some feelings in some… ![“I am concerned that there are some feelings in some quarters in some corners that, what do people of color want now? We elected Barack Obama as president. It's over. People talk about the post-racial America. I see his election not as the end but as a continuum. But we're not there yet. We have…” quote by John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/john-lewis-1310_beloved-community_i-am-concerned-that-there-are-some-feeli_2351263.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/john-lewis-1310_beloved-community_i-am-concerned-that-there-are-some-feeli_2351263.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/john-lewis-1310_beloved-community_i-am-concerned-that-there-are-some-feeli_2351263.jpg) > “I am concerned that there are some feelings in some quarters in some corners that, what do people of color want now? We elected Barack Obama as president. It's over. People talk about the post-racial America. I see his election not as the end but as a continuum. But we're not there yet. We have not yet created the beloved community that Dr. King spoke of. I see this as a down payment, a major down payment on the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. Even with this election, we still have a great distance to go before we lay down the bird in the race.” [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects ongoing racial inequality despite symbolic progress, urging continued effort toward true equality and community. **In simple terms:** Progress is incomplete; work remains for true equality. Key Takeaway Keep pushing for systemic change. Themes racial equality social justice civil rights continuum hope Mood determined hopeful critical Type inspirational political reflective When to use this quote - political activism - community organizing - education reform - policy advocacy Key Concepts systemic racism collective responsibility visionary leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can we translate symbolic victories into concrete equality? - What steps are needed to build the beloved community? A Different Perspective Progress can be symbolic without substantive change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beloved community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beloved-community/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [Welcome to post-racial America. I'm the face of post-racial America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/welcome-to-post-racial-america-i-m-the-face-of-post-racial-america/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [When Obama came to power, there was a lot of talk about a post-racial America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/when-obama-came-to-power-there-was-a-lot-of-talk-about-a-post-racial/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [I'm the face of post racial America, deal with it Cate Blanchett.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-m-the-face-of-post-racial-america-deal-with-it-cate-blanchett/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [This whole notion of a post racial America was nonsense from the very beginning. It was a bad idea, a bad notion, a bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tavis-smiley/this-whole-notion-of-a-post-racial-america-was-nonsense-from-the-very/) [Tavis Smiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tavis-smiley/) > [What worries me is that 'post-racial' America is not that different from the Americas that have preceded us, and it might not ever be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/what-worries-me-is-that-post-racial-america-is-not-that-different/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [Sometimes the media says, well, this state had an election, it's the end of the campaign. It is not. We have dozens of more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/sometimes-the-media-says-well-this-state-had-an-election-it-s-the-end/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Democrats view elections as a means to an end, while Republicans view an election as an end in itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/democrats-view-elections-as-a-means-to-an-end-while-republicans-view/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [We are one people; we are only family. And when we finally accept these truths, then we will be able to fulfill Dr. King's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-are-one-people-we-are-only-family-and-when-we-finally-accept-these/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sacrifices-are-concerned-with-the-feelings-of-devotion-and-longing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The media loves to spend a lot of time talking about itself and do a lot of navel-gazing, which the general public isn't quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-walter/the-media-loves-to-spend-a-lot-of-time-talking-about-itself-and-do-a/) [Amy Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-walter/) > [We have come a long way in America because of Martin Luther King, Jr. He led a disciplined, nonviolent revolution under the rule of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-have-come-a-long-way-in-america-because-of-martin-luther-king-jr/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [If the best of one's feelings means nothing to the person most concerned in those feelings, what reality is left us?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/if-the-best-of-one-s-feelings-means-nothing-to-the-person-most/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [I am very, very hopeful about the American South - I believe that we will lead America to what Dr. King called 'the beloved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-am-very-very-hopeful-about-the-american-south-i-believe-that-we/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I think that we did a really good thing when we elected Barack Obama. I read his books. He is absolutely and totally qualified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/i-think-that-we-did-a-really-good-thing-when-we-elected-barack-obama/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [America is Tiger Woods country for a reason, and she elected Barack Obama to punctuate this new reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-breitbart/america-is-tiger-woods-country-for-a-reason-and-she-elected-barack/) [Andrew Breitbart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-breitbart/) ## More by John Lewis > [ I happen to believe that this election year \[2016\] is...one of the most important elections that we're going to face in a very long… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-happen-to-believe-that-this-election-year-2016-is-one-of-the-most/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take that long hard look and just believe that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/if-you-re-not-hopeful-and-optimistic-then-you-just-give-up-you-have/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The reward for playing jazz is playing jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-reward-for-playing-jazz-is-playing-jazz/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I am very, very hopeful about the American South - I believe that we will lead America to what Dr. King called 'the beloved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-am-very-very-hopeful-about-the-american-south-i-believe-that-we/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [ \[Donald Trump's inauguration\] will be the first one that I miss since I've been in Congress. You cannot be at home with something that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/donald-trump-s-inauguration-will-be-the-first-one-that-i-miss-since-i/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [To question the legitimacy of the next United States president, you know, and you're worried about a tweet that says, hey, why don't you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/to-question-the-legitimacy-of-the-next-united-states-president-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jails over and over again. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-are-tired-of-being-beaten-by-policemen-we-are-tired-of-seeing-our/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Now we have black and white elected officials working together. Today, we have gone beyond just passing laws. Now we have to create a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/now-we-have-black-and-white-elected-officials-working-together-today/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [“For me, the nomination of Barack Obama as a candidate for president and his inauguration in Washington represents a brief glimpse at the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/for-me-the-nomination-of-barack-obama-as-a-candidate-for-president/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Too many people struggled, suffered, and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/too-many-people-struggled-suffered-and-died-to-make-it-possible-for/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The vote is precious. It's almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-vote-is-precious-it-s-almost-sacred-so-go-out-and-vote-like-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [My position is very, very simple. That I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color, not to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/my-position-is-very-very-simple-that-i-fought-too-long-and-too-hard/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Many of us in Nashville accepted nonviolence as a way of life, a way of living, not simply as a technique or a tactic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/many-of-us-in-nashville-accepted-nonviolence-as-a-way-of-life-a-way/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Right now, what my job is - pardon me? Those are just words. Right now, what my - my job is right now going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/right-now-what-my-job-is-pardon-me-those-are-just-words-right-now/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [ Donald Trump has made it clear that certainly over the last few years that President \[Barack\] Obama was born in Hawaii. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/donald-trump-has-made-it-clear-that-certainly-over-the-last-few-years/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) [Explore all 258 John Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) ## More Beloved community quotes > [I am very, very hopeful about the American South - I believe that we will lead America to what Dr. King called 'the beloved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-am-very-very-hopeful-about-the-american-south-i-believe-that-we/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [If we want a beloved community, we must stand for justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/if-we-want-a-beloved-community-we-must-stand-for-justice/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [If each of us works toward making a sincere effort when we wake up each morning with a renewed commitment and dedication to embracing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernice-king/if-each-of-us-works-toward-making-a-sincere-effort-when-we-wake-up/) [Bernice King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernice-king/) > [We have come a long way in America because of Martin Luther King, Jr. He led a disciplined, nonviolent revolution under the rule of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-have-come-a-long-way-in-america-because-of-martin-luther-king-jr/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [There is an elementary aspiration which undergirds the humane impulse in our history and our culture and binds us together as political activists. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-wellstone/there-is-an-elementary-aspiration-which-undergirds-the-humane-impulse/) [Paul Wellstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-wellstone/) > [The end of violence or the aftermath of violence is bitterness. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and the creation of a beloved community.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-end-of-violence-or-the-aftermath-of-violence-is-bitterness-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [“Lord, you call us out of captivity into the freedom of your beloved community. As we pass through the wilderness spaces of our lives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/lord-you-call-us-out-of-captivity-into-the-freedom-of-your-beloved/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [A second basic fact that characterizes nonviolence is that it does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/a-second-basic-fact-that-characterizes-nonviolence-is-that-it-does/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/beloved-community-is-formed-not-by-the-eradication-of-difference-but/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and destroys. The aftermath of the ‘fight with fire’ method...is bitterness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/love-is-creative-and-redemptive-love-builds-up-and-unites-hate-tears/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The larger your beloved community, the more you can accomplish in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/the-larger-your-beloved-community-the-more-you-can-accomplish-in-the/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [We are living in an historic moment. We are each called to take part in a great transformation. Our survival as a species is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/we-are-living-in-an-historic-moment-we-are-each-called-to-take-part/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [A good mother remembers to serve fruit at breakfast, is always cheerful and never yells, manages not to project her own neuroses and inadequacies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayelet-waldman/a-good-mother-remembers-to-serve-fruit-at-breakfast-is-always/) [Ayelet Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayelet-waldman/) > [The way of acquiescence leads to moral and spiritual suicide. The way of violence leads to bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-way-of-acquiescence-leads-to-moral-and-spiritual-suicide-the-way/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [We are one people; we are only family. And when we finally accept these truths, then we will be able to fulfill Dr. King's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-are-one-people-we-are-only-family-and-when-we-finally-accept-these/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) [Browse all 24 Beloved community quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beloved-community/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am concerned that there are some feelings in some quarters in some corners that, what do people of color want now? We elected Barack Obama as president. It's over. People talk about the post-racial America. I see his election not as the end but as a continuum. But we're not there yet. We have not yet created the beloved community that Dr. King spoke of. 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