If we confuse dissent with disloyalty - if we deny the right of the individual to be wrong, unpopular, eccentric or unorthodox - if we deny the essence of racial equality then hundreds of millions in Asia and Africa who are shopping about for a new allegiance will conclude that we are concerned to defend a myth and our present privileged status. Every act that denies or limits the freedom of the individual in this country costs us the ... confidence of men and women who aspire to that freedom and independence of which we speak and for which our ancestors fought.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Denying individual freedom and equality undermines national credibility globally and costs the trust of those seeking liberty.
- In plain terms
- If you restrict personal freedom, you lose respect from people who want to be free.
- What can you take from it?
- Protect individual rights to maintain moral authority abroad.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What rights are worth defending even when unpopular?
- How does domestic policy affect foreign perception?
Another view
National security concerns sometimes justify limiting individual freedoms.
More from Edward R. Murrow
No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices.
Permalink to quote #4 Good night, and good luck.
Permalink to quote #2 He mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.
Permalink to quote #5
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