First time Quote by Studs Terkel
““We thought of the poor, at that time, as quite divorced from us, who were not poor. By the exercise of one’s charity, life could be made all right. You would always have the poor with you, they were the unfortunate, and you made donations. You could handle them. It was mildly unpleasant, but not fundamentally upsetting. Now, for the first time, we face the dreadful reality that we are not separated. They are us. They are something we have made. There is no conceivable way today to say: Fish, and you’ll be all right. In hurt, in anguish, in shock, we are becoming aware that it is ourselves, who have to be found wanting, not the poor.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Working, by Studs Terkel, 1974
Recognizing that poverty is not a distant problem but a reflection of our own societal failures and personal shortcomings.
In simple terms: The poor are part of us; we must confront our own role.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge shared responsibility for inequality.
Themes
social justice
self‑reflection
inequality
empathy
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- policy making
- community activism
- personal introspection
- education programs
Key Concepts
systemic oppression
collective responsibility
moral accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing shared humanity change your actions?
- What systemic changes are needed beyond personal empathy?
A Different Perspective
Changing attitudes alone may not fix structural causes of poverty.
