It is time to heal America. And so we must say to every American: Look beyond the stereotypes that blind us. We need each other. All of us-we need each other. We don't have a person to waste. And yet for too long politicians have told the most of us that are doing all right that what's really wrong with America is the rest of us. Them. Them, the minorities. Them, the liberals. Them, the poor. Them, the homeless. Them, the people with disabilities. Them, the gays. We've gotten to where we've nearly themed ourselves to death. Them and them and them. But this is America. There is no them; there's only us.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker calls for national healing by rejecting division and stereotypes that pit groups against each other.
- In plain terms
- We must heal America by looking beyond stereotypes and recognizing we all need each other.
- What can you take from it?
- Unity requires stopping the division of people into 'us' and 'them' categories.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you see 'them' being used in politics?
- What helps move beyond stereotypes?
Another view
The speech lists many groups but does not specify how to address their specific issues.
More from Bill Clinton
He won't take the lead in protecting the environment and creating new jobs in environmental technologies for the 21st century, but I will. And you know what el…
Permalink to quote #1 End welfare as we know it.
Permalink to quote #3 When I was in England I experimented with marijuana a time or two-and didn't like it-and didn't inhale and never tried inhaling again.
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
I think we can end the divisions within the United States. What I think is quite clear is that we can work together in the last analysis. And that what has bee…
Robert F. KennedyRobert F. Kennedy quote #38 'My late mother used to say that it did not matter if you came to this country on the Mayflower or a slave ship, across the Rio Grande or through Ellis Island;…
Carol Moseley BraunCarol Moseley Braun quote #1 America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and democratic…
Gerald FordGerald Ford quote #2