DeRay Mckesson Quotes

I learnt that if I want to make any difference, or changes to my world, then I've got to be involved. We need passion - that's how things change.

I became active in politics because I saw the possibility, if we all sat back and did nothing, of a world in which there would no longer be any stages for actors to act on.

If you don't like what's going on, you have to get involved.

For me, the passions and issues I care so much about are ones that lend themselves to work whether you're in government or outside of government.

If you really want to make a difference you don't do it via Tweet, via Facebook, via Instagram - you get down, you understand what the facts are and then you offer a path forward.

I've become more of a citizen and more of an activist.

We're told, 'If you want to change the world, vote.' And really, if you want to change the world, there's a lot more things that you can do.

I don't think there was really a time when I have not been politically aware.

'Unlikely Brothers' talks about the importance of citizen action and shows why and how we can make a difference.

I was an activist long before I even entertained the possibility of being an actor.

I always saw politics as an expansion of my role as a mom.

I have donated money to campaigns. And I have been known to take to the street in protest. But I am more committed to my immediate politics than general politics.

I'm fighting hard to make the world a better place, and you can, too. Get involved with your community, be a leader, set an example, be passionate, be your best.

To be more involved and more aware is appealing to me.

Until the day I die, or until the day I can't think anymore, I want to be involved in the issues that I care about.

One of the biggest complaints readers have about my work is that I don't tell them often enough what they can do. I do think this is an area where journalism sometimes falls short. We describe a really grim situation but don't really explain to people what they can do about it.

One of the things that defines a TEDster is you've taken your passion, and you've turned it into stewardship. You actually put action to the issues you care about.

I encourage everyone out there to get involved.

Unfortunately, I don't think I can call myself an activist because I don't really do enough of anything.

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.

Public service and community organizing and movement building is such a part of my DNA that it's really hard to separate it.

Just like so many other people out there, I don't want to sit on the sidelines, I want to do the most that I can to help.

You can complain about problems, and you can suffer from the ramifications of issues that are social in nature and impact you, but the best thing you can do is get off your couch, get out of your home and go do something about it.

Stay engaged; be part of the process.

Every person has the ability to influence change. I am grateful that my voice counts, and I am able to influence change. But more than that, there is a certain amount of activism that is engrained in me.