Achieve Quote by William J. Brennan
“It is difficult to understand precisely what the state hopes to achieve by promoting the creation and perpetuation of a subclass of illiterates within our boundaries, surely adding to the problems and costs of unemployment, welfare and crime.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Oral argument before U.S. Supreme Court, 1972
The quote criticizes policies that create a class of poorly educated people, worsening unemployment, welfare, and crime.
In simple terms: Policies that keep people illiterate increase social problems.
Key Takeaway
Address education to reduce crime and welfare costs.
Themes
education
social policy
inequality
crime
unemployment
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- school reform
- job training programs
- community literacy initiatives
- social welfare reform
Key Concepts
human capital
social stratification
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance short‑term costs with long‑term benefits of education?
- What barriers prevent effective literacy programs?
A Different Perspective
May overlook economic constraints that limit policy implementation.
