Documents Quote by Martha Plimpton
“The word 'equality' shows up too much in our founding documents for anyone to pretend it's not the American way.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on political rhetoric, 2015
The quote argues that the concept of equality is so embedded in American foundational texts that it is essentially a core national principle.
In simple terms: Equality is a fundamental American ideal.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and uphold equality as a core value.
Themes
equality
American identity
politics
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
political
civic.
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- educational curricula
- community activism
- legal reforms
Key Concepts
civic philosophy
national narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view shape policy priorities?
- Can equality coexist with diverse cultural values?
A Different Perspective
The emphasis on equality may overlook other values like liberty or individualism.
![“All of this strife on the political front might just be the death throes of another set of [less-honorable] American beliefs, that have, at their core, the notion that equality is something the privileged group "gives" to those not so privileged - a reaching down, as it were.” quote by George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/859/george-saunders-317_belief_all-of-this-strife-on-the-political-fron_610812.jpg)
![“In our country [US] equality means your liberal and freedom means you're conservative. That tension is there and it can't be handled on its own terms. It can't be handled as you go out of that and go back into natural institutions or natural law or divine revelation. Something outside of the…” quote by Francis George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fed/francis-george-23460_conservative_in-our-country-us-equality-means-your-li_2557310.jpg)
![“Utopian fiction is really boring. I had to read a lot of it, and it's not that much fun. But they're fascinating to me as historical documents. Cabet [Icaria's founder and author of the utopian novel, Travels in Icaria], is writing in the 1830s, and his idea of the perfect society reveals a lot…” quote by Christine Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac0/christine-jennings-20527_book_utopian-fiction-is-really-boring-i-had-t_68118.jpg)
