Marian Wright Edelman Quotes

People are even more wary of politicians and they are realizing that democracy isn't just about putting a cross on a ballot every four years, it's about deciding what you want and fighting for it.

Those wanting to improve democracy in their countries should not wait for permission.

I am one who believes in the power of the people. I am inspired when I see people hit the streets, who challenge their elected officials, and are willing to stand up and fight. I encourage it.

I think voting is the lowest form of political action that you can do. A lot of times, it keeps people from doing stronger things.

Get out there and vote like your lives depend on it.

The vote is a power, a weapon of offense and defense, a prayer.

Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens.

If the people of America do not rise up, take ownership of our country, we're going to lose it forever.

At every turn when there has been an imbalance of power, the truth questioned, or our beliefs and values distorted, the change required to restore our nation has always come from the bottom up from our people.

When the three branches of government have failed to represent the citizenry and the mass of the media has failed to represent the citizenry, then the citizenry better represent the citizenry.

When you become active in the system and communicate to your representatives, and they don't vote in accordance with your values, your responsibility is to support candidates who will.

In order for critical pedagogy, dialogue, and thought to have real effects, they must advocate the message that all citizens, old and young, are equally entitled, if not equally empowered, to shape the society in which they live.

I think I will always have a connection to young people, to try to bring their voices to the polls, bring their voices wherever they can make a difference.

You need to remind people that you vote, you matter, and that they can't succeed without your help.

The people will save their government, if the government itself will allow them.

We need to find a way to empower citizens to make governments take notice.

Change happens from the bottom up - all of us as individuals deciding that we will and we do have an impact.

I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.

If freedom's best friends cannot unify around a realistic, actionable program of fundamental change, one that attracts and persuades a broad majority of our fellow citizens, big change will not come.

The monied interests are doing what they do best - making money. The rest of us need to do what we can do best - use our voices, our vigor, and our votes.

The unique thing about our country is that we don't get behind politicians, politicians get behind us.

In 2012, I see the potential for people to come together, huge moments of political and social engagement where elections are part of the strategy for change, but not the end goal and not the only thing that matters.

The first step toward liberation is to use the power in hand ... and the power in hand is the vote.

Change never comes from the White House. It comes from your house and my house.

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