Marian Wright Edelman Quotes

Democracy is not something we have, it's something we do.

Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time.

Democracy belongs to those who exercise it.

I'm tired of hearing it said that democracy doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work. We are supposed to work it.

Even though I grew up and I didn't always like getting dragged to the meetings or the rallies or the speeches, I developed a very strong respect for participating in a democratic process.

Americans need to be engaged and invested in the legislative process that affects their daily lives, otherwise we are just democracy in name only.

I'm a citizen in a democracy. To call me an activist would be redundant. It's not a spectator sport. If we all become non-participants, it no longer works.

And they understand that to be an effective member of a democracy, you have to accept responsibility.

I feel a real responsibility to my community and so right now there has been this bizarre myth in our community how our vote doesn't count. I'm trying to get out there and re-educate on how the government works and break that myth and talk about the importance of being involved.

I always preach that you have to be active as a citizen no matter what, and some people just voting as an excuse not to do anything.

As a citizen, you need to know how to be a part of it, how to express yourself - and not just by voting.

Well, I couldn't do the day-to-day stuff of being a politician or anything, but I just think everybody should have an opinion and everybody should vote, and that's what we're built on.

Politics is not a spectator sport. You can't just sit on the sidelines.

We are not perfect. Democracy is a messy business … Democracy depends on people getting and keeping involved … In our democracy, the government is not them; it is us.

Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen.

You have a voice, you have a vote. Use it.

Democracy is something you have to participate in.

Voting isn't the most we can do. But it is the least.

Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, all the time.

But, you know, I'm sorry, I think democracy requires participation. I mean, I don't want to proselytize but I do feel some sort of duty to participate in the process in some way other than just blindly getting behind a political party.

I love voting day. I love the sight of my fellow citizens lining up to make their voices heard.

Our democracy is not something to be taken for granted. You have to fight for it. You have to commit yourself to working for it - for the long haul.

The most important political office is that of the private citizen.

I believe that everyone should participate in democracy and enjoy doing it.

We always hear about the rights of democracy, but the major responsibility of it is participation.