There are two Americas. One is the America of Lincoln and Adlai Stevenson; the other is the America of Teddy Roosevelt and the modern superpatriots. One is generous and humane, the other narrowly egotistical; one is self-critical, the other self-righteous; one is sensible, the other romantic; one is good-humored, the other solemn; one is inquiring, the other pontificating; one is moderate, the other filled with passionate intensity; one is judicious and the other arrogant in the use of great power. (p. 245)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- American political identity splits between moderate, humane values and rigid, intense ones.
- In plain terms
- Two Americas exist: one moderate and humane, one intense and arrogant.
- What can you take from it?
- Identify which political values you align with.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Which America do you see?
- Is politics always binary?
Another view
It presents a binary view that may oversimplify complex identities.
More from J. William Fulbright
A pre-emptive war in 'defense' of freedom would surely destroy freedom, because one simply cannot engage in barbarous action without becoming a barbarian, beca…
Permalink to quote #1
Related quotes
'I'm way more American than George Bush and Dick Cheney.' -- Dave Matthews, Rolling Stone interview 'The Devil and Dave Matthews' (January 22, 2004)
Dave MatthewsDave Matthews quote #39 I think it would be a great thing if we had an election year where you had two people who loved this country and were devoted to the interest of this country. …
Bill ClintonBill Clinton quote #40 The American, if he has a spark of national feeling, will be humiliated by the very prospect of a foreigner's visit to Congress - these, for the most part, ill…
Mary McCarthyMary McCarthy quote #2