Asylums Quote by Madalyn Murray O'Hair
“I decided that we'd have to take our chances with the law and get the hell out of Baltimore. I thought of seeking asylum in Canada or Australia or England, but I didn't want to leave the United States, because for better or worse I'm an American, and this is my land; so I decided to fight it out on home ground, and finally we hit upon Hawaii, because of the liberal atmosphere created by its racial admixture, and because of its relatively large population of Buddhists, who are largely nontheistic.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 1995 interview, The New York Times, 1995
She chooses to confront legal challenges within the U.S., preferring to stay in her homeland despite considering exile.
In simple terms: She decides to fight legal battles at home rather than flee.
Key Takeaway
Stay and fight where you belong.
Themes
patriotism
legal resistance
identity
cultural tolerance
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
political
personal
When to use this quote
- political activism
- legal defense
- immigration decisions
- community organizing
Key Concepts
civil liberties
national identity
religious diversity
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you risk to stay?
- How does cultural diversity influence your choice?
A Different Perspective
Exile might offer safety but sacrifices personal and cultural ties.
![“Our borders are much too porous...We want to keep them open, but we also have to be much more careful. ...Right now, if you get on an airplane [to the U.S.] and claim asylum...when you arrive at Kennedy Airport in New York, they will say to you, 'OK, we'll give you a hearing on whether you deserve…” quote by Charles Schumer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da2/charles-schumer-10224_airplane_our-borders-are-much-too-porous-we-want_2445883.jpg)
![“We cannot possibly take them all into this country [asylum seekers] - it is a completely unrealistic expectation.” quote by Michael Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7f5/michael-howard-30918_asylum-seekers_we-cannot-possibly-take-them-all-into-th_202245.jpg)
