America Quote by Thurgood Marshall
“I wish I could say that racism and prejudice were only distant memories. We must dissent from the indifference. We must dissent from the apathy. We must dissent from the fear, the hatred and the mistrust…We must dissent because America can do better, because America has no choice but to do better.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Civil Rights Address, United States, 1965
Calls for active resistance against racism, urging America to confront indifference, fear, and hatred to improve.
In simple terms: America must fight racism and apathy to improve.
Key Takeaway
Actively oppose prejudice.
Themes
justice
activism
social change
Mood
determined
urgent
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- community organizing
- policy reform
- education initiatives
- public advocacy
Key Concepts
civil rights
collective responsibility
moral courage
Questions to Reflect On
- How can individuals effectively challenge systemic racism?
- What actions can institutions take to reduce apathy?
A Different Perspective
Change requires systemic effort beyond individual dissent.
![“Young people want to learn, they are thirsty for knowledge, they want to understand and remember. The main thing is to teach them where not to go. Oppression, not to go; dictatorship, not to go; racism and prejudice, absolutely not to go. This is a moral plan [for society].” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad2/elie-wiesel-341_dictatorship_young-people-want-to-learn-they-are-thir_1117085.jpg)
![“Racism and prejudice exist there [at the National Film Board] like anywhere else. My history at the Board has not been easy. It's been a long walk.” quote by Alanis Obomsawin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7d9/alanis-obomsawin-59908_boards_racism-and-prejudice-exist-there-at-the_245524.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
