---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's not enough to just say we won't…"
description: "\"It's not enough to just say we won't discriminate, we must show it.\" — Roy Cooper"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg"
---

#  It's not enough to just say we won't discriminate, we must…

![“It's not enough to just say we won't discriminate, we must show it.” quote by Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg)

> “It's not enough to just say we won't discriminate, we must show it.”

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Words alone are insufficient; actions must demonstrate true non‑discrimination.

**In simple terms:** Talk is cheap; actions prove equality.

Key Takeaway

Align policies with inclusive practices.

Themes

equality action integrity

Mood

motivational pragmatic

Type

ethical inspirational

When to use this quote

- workplace training
- public policy
- personal interactions

Key Concepts

Social justice behavioral consistency

Questions to Reflect On

- What concrete steps can you take?
- How will you measure progress?

A Different Perspective

Changing attitudes can be slower than changing policies.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Discriminate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discriminate/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Just Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-say/) [Must](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/must/) [Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say/) [Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show/) [Won Discriminate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/won-discriminate-5125300/)

## Related quotes

> [I hate canceling anything, I'm 'the show must go on' mentality. If you can crawl, you can take the stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzi-quatro/i-hate-canceling-anything-i-m-the-show-must-go-on-mentality-if-you/)

[Suzi Quatro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzi-quatro/)

> [The role of the church and the government are fundamentally different. The church must always show compassion - always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/the-role-of-the-church-and-the-government-are-fundamentally-different/)

[Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/)

> [We must give individuals the opportunity to show what they are capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-grayling/we-must-give-individuals-the-opportunity-to-show-what-they-are/)

[Chris Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-grayling/)

> [Whenever I get on stage, I feel safe and in control. Life can be so uncertain, but on stage, I always know how a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-o-mara/whenever-i-get-on-stage-i-feel-safe-and-in-control-life-can-be-so/)

[Kate O'Mara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-o-mara/)

> [Socks must be at least an 18-percent synthetic blend to insure they don't droop, because droopy socks that show calf are worse than short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-stone/socks-must-be-at-least-an-18-percent-synthetic-blend-to-insure-they/)

[Roger Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-stone/)

> [I see film roles as lovely presents that come along now and again. I feel really lucky and say thank you very much. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gambon/i-see-film-roles-as-lovely-presents-that-come-along-now-and-again-i/)

[Michael Gambon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gambon/)

> [My mother did like to make clothes, and in I think the worst picture I've ever seen of myself - I must have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/my-mother-did-like-to-make-clothes-and-in-i-think-the-worst-picture-i/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [Turning 60 had an impact on my heart and soul, I must say, because you're dealing with time: past, present, and future. You suddenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/turning-60-had-an-impact-on-my-heart-and-soul-i-must-say-because-you/)

[Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/)

> [When you have a stroke, you must talk slowly to be understood, and I've discovered that when I talk slowly, people listen. They think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-douglas/when-you-have-a-stroke-you-must-talk-slowly-to-be-understood-and-i-ve/)

[Kirk Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-douglas/)

> [Never try to discriminate a person like me. I'm a dragon, once I'm getting mad, don't dare yourself to see me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marivil-ricacho/never-try-to-discriminate-a-person-like-me-i-m-a-dragon-once-i-m/)

[Marivil Ricacho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marivil-ricacho/)

> [Race is not the stumbling block to progress it once was, in large part because the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norah-vincent/race-is-not-the-stumbling-block-to-progress-it-once-was-in-large-part/)

[Norah Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norah-vincent/)

> [The ability to discriminate between that which is true and that which is false is one of the last attainments of the human mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/the-ability-to-discriminate-between-that-which-is-true-and-that-which/)

[James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/)

> [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I don't see any reason to discriminate against homosexuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yitzhak-rabin/i-don-t-see-any-reason-to-discriminate-against-homosexuals/)

[Yitzhak Rabin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yitzhak-rabin/)

> [For some of my friends who raise personal objections to marriage equality, they still recognize the importance of being accepting. And many of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-fujita/for-some-of-my-friends-who-raise-personal-objections-to-marriage/)

[Scott Fujita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-fujita/)

## More by Roy Cooper

> [Disasters affect every state, and North Carolinians have given our own tax dollars to help neighbors and those in other states in times of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/disasters-affect-every-state-and-north-carolinians-have-given-our-own/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [In Raleigh, partisan battles, power struggles and lawsuits might grab the headlines, but we have to work together where we can. To look beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/in-raleigh-partisan-battles-power-struggles-and-lawsuits-might-grab/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [We know COVID-19 hasn't affected communities equally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/we-know-covid-19-hasn-t-affected-communities-equally/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [We must keep our eye on the ball to monitor our waterways and ensure that all North Carolinians can have full confidence in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/we-must-keep-our-eye-on-the-ball-to-monitor-our-waterways-and-ensure/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [We can embrace the idea of a North Carolina that's truly for all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/we-can-embrace-the-idea-of-a-north-carolina-that-s-truly-for-all-of-us/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [As governor, one of my top priorities is supporting our children from cradle to career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/as-governor-one-of-my-top-priorities-is-supporting-our-children-from/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [My commitment to rural North Carolina is personal. I understand the opportunities and challenges our rural communities face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/my-commitment-to-rural-north-carolina-is-personal-i-understand-the/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [We don't want cost to be a barrier to good students getting a higher education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/we-don-t-want-cost-to-be-a-barrier-to-good-students-getting-a-higher/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [We need aggressive healing, a strong voice that will continue to understand that diversity is our strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/we-need-aggressive-healing-a-strong-voice-that-will-continue-to/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [Better teacher pay combined with scholarships in exchange for teaching in our public schools can help North Carolina attract and keep talented teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/better-teacher-pay-combined-with-scholarships-in-exchange-for/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [Both in Raleigh and in Washington, middle class shouldn't mean second class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/both-in-raleigh-and-in-washington-middle-class-shouldn-t-mean-second/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [North Carolina is a terrific place to live, work, and raise a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/north-carolina-is-a-terrific-place-to-live-work-and-raise-a-family/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [A talented workforce, excellent access to markets and a competitive business climate make our state a top destination for global manufacturers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/a-talented-workforce-excellent-access-to-markets-and-a-competitive/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [Some people cling to the belief that the Civil War was fought over states' rights. But history is not on their side. We cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/some-people-cling-to-the-belief-that-the-civil-war-was-fought-over/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

> [We need to stop shortchanging our families and future in order to line the pockets of millionaires and special interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/we-need-to-stop-shortchanging-our-families-and-future-in-order-to/)

[Roy Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

[Explore all 98 Roy Cooper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/)

## More Discriminate quotes

> [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [I don't see any reason to discriminate against homosexuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yitzhak-rabin/i-don-t-see-any-reason-to-discriminate-against-homosexuals/)

[Yitzhak Rabin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yitzhak-rabin/)

> [The ability to discriminate between that which is true and that which is false is one of the last attainments of the human mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/the-ability-to-discriminate-between-that-which-is-true-and-that-which/)

[James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/)

> [Race is not the stumbling block to progress it once was, in large part because the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it illegal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norah-vincent/race-is-not-the-stumbling-block-to-progress-it-once-was-in-large-part/)

[Norah Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norah-vincent/)

> [Never try to discriminate a person like me. I'm a dragon, once I'm getting mad, don't dare yourself to see me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marivil-ricacho/never-try-to-discriminate-a-person-like-me-i-m-a-dragon-once-i-m/)

[Marivil Ricacho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marivil-ricacho/)

> [For some of my friends who raise personal objections to marriage equality, they still recognize the importance of being accepting. And many of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-fujita/for-some-of-my-friends-who-raise-personal-objections-to-marriage/)

[Scott Fujita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-fujita/)

> [Discriminate, discriminate, and again discriminate! Be fastidious. Choose. Select.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-merrill-root/discriminate-discriminate-and-again-discriminate-be-fastidious-choose/)

[E. Merrill Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-merrill-root/)

> [I used to be homophobic, but as I got older, I realized that wasn't the way to do things. I don't discriminate against anybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asap-rocky/i-used-to-be-homophobic-but-as-i-got-older-i-realized-that-wasn-t-the/)

[ASAP Rocky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asap-rocky/)

> [A guided missile corrects its trajectory as it flies, homing in, say, on the heat of a jet plane's exhaust. A great improvement on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/a-guided-missile-corrects-its-trajectory-as-it-flies-homing-in-say-on/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [I don't discriminate. I hate Mondays just as much as I hate any day that requires me to wake up before 10 am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-discriminate-i-hate-mondays-just-as-much-as-i-hate-any-day/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I don't like kids that are pushed into things by stage mums, but when I can see they are having a good time, they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-don-t-like-kids-that-are-pushed-into-things-by-stage-mums-but-when/)

[Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/)

> [You must discriminate between those who claim to help you and only want to manipulate you and those who are free, who never manipulate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-must-discriminate-between-those-who-claim-to-help-you-and-only/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Police departments, since the start of the history of this country, have been used to enforce unconstitutional laws that were designed to discriminate against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lightfoot/police-departments-since-the-start-of-the-history-of-this-country/)

[Lori Lightfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lightfoot/)

> [So if there is a government grant offered for anything, like starting a business or going to school, they cannot discriminate because of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lesko/so-if-there-is-a-government-grant-offered-for-anything-like-starting/)

[Matthew Lesko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lesko/)

> [“It speaks volumes when people who are discriminated against go on to discriminate against others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashanne-stokes/it-speaks-volumes-when-people-who-are-discriminated-against-go-on-to/)

[DaShanne Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashanne-stokes/)

[Browse all 131 Discriminate quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discriminate/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's not enough to just say we won't discriminate, we must show it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Roy Cooper"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-discriminate-we-must-show-it/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Discriminate"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-discriminate-we-must-show-it/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/roy-cooper-6659_enough_it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-dis_2248418.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's not enough to just say we won't discriminate, we must show it.” — Roy Cooper",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Roy Cooper",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-cooper/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's not enough to just say...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-discriminate-we-must-show-it/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-cooper/it-s-not-enough-to-just-say-we-won-t-discriminate-we-must-show-it/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
