People who thought that she was busy going around trying…
“People who thought that she was busy going around trying to stir up difficulty where there was none or less than she imagined, were quite critical of her. She was, we must never forget, a public figure. And in democracies, public figures tend to attract criticism as well as praise. The most dangerous thing would be if anybody were regarded as above criticism. And Eleanor Roosevelt is, in recent years, getting there.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commentary on public criticism, 1970s
Public figures inevitably face both praise and criticism; shielding anyone from critique is dangerous, especially in democracy
In simple terms: Public figures get criticism; no one is above it
Key Takeaway
Recognize criticism as part of public life
Themes
accountability
democracy
criticism
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- political leaders
- celebrity
- activists
- media coverage
Key Concepts
Freedom of speech
public scrutiny
Questions to Reflect On
- How should public figures respond to unfair criticism?
- When does criticism become harassment?
A Different Perspective
Criticism can become personal attacks that stifle discourse