If any man claims the Negro should be content... let him say he would willingly change the color of his skin and go to live in the Negro section of a large city. Then and only then has he a right to such a claim.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Those who claim Black people should be content must first experience living in segregated Black neighborhoods themselves.
- In plain terms
- If you think Black people should be content, try living in their neighborhood first.
- What can you take from it?
- Empathy requires understanding the conditions of others.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What experience would change your opinion?
- How can we build empathy across divides?
Another view
Contentment is subjective and varies between individuals.
More from Robert Kennedy
I'm tired of chasing people.
Permalink to quote #41 'If men do not build,' asks the poet, 'how shall they live?' (12-10-1966)
Permalink to quote #43 I was the seventh of nine children. When you come from that far down you have to struggle to survive.
Permalink to quote #40
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