Henry Giroux Quotes

To me, activism requires you to try very hard to open your eyes to the world as it is. See as much as you can, knowing that whatever you see is going to be partial. That you possess a partial consciousness in an infinite and expanding universe.

The rhythm of being an activist today involves a pretty simple rhythm. You have to open your eyes to the reality before you. You have to look and see.

We're all living blinkered lives, and we're not seeing what's going on and looking to change it. I'm not saying that everyone has to make a political statement, but we need to be more aware of what's happening and why.

You can't always measure the effects of activist work; you just have to wish and pray that the message gets through.

We're a positive type group, not a preachy group, but we want to be able to let the people know that we are conscious about what's going on in the world.

I want people to be awake. I want them to be aware.

I think people are really talking about it. Having conversations about how to make change.

Since you got here by not thinking, it seems reasonable to expect that, in order to get out, you must start thinking.

I think there's so many things happening, whether it's gender inequality or immigration, there's just so many issues happening around the world where not doing anything makes you guilty.

I feel I need to really think about whether there's a way to use what skill I have to address things that outrage me, like the 13 year old girl getting stoned to death. Because I don't think making a movie is going to help that, or change that.

I think the best way to be an activist is to live your life well and be honest. It means being out. If you are not comfortable marching, you can make a big difference just by working side by side with someone who actually knows you're gay and a fine human being.

All the problems of the world could be settled easily if men were only willing to think.

We're living in a time where we all got to stay woke !

I went to Seattle as just another geek in the food chain, thinking, "Well, in my own puny little way, I'd rather be a part of history than just sit and watch it on TV." So, the fact that so many people are starting to ask the right questions and rack their brains for solutions does give me hope.

I think in terms of being a New Yorker, as my friends would say, I don't take a lot of mess. I have no tolerance for people who are not thinking deeply about things. I have no tolerance for the kind of small talk that people need to fill silence. And I have no tolerance for people not - just not being a part of the world and being in it and trying to change it.

These people in Mississippi State, they are not "down"; all they need is a chance. And I am determined to give my part not for what the Movement can do for me, but what I can do for the Movement to bring about a change in the State of Mississippi.

I like any reaction I can get with my music. Just anything to get people to think. I mean if you can get a whole room full of drunk, stoned people to actually wake up and think, you're doing something.

I don't think there will ever be a time when people will stop wanting to bring about change.

Look at the world. See the problem. And solve it

Try fighting with your head for a change... it's a good one, even if it does resist learning.

It doesn't matter how strong your opinions are. If you don't use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem.

If people were silent, nothing would change.

Don't let complexity stop you. Be activists. Take on the big inequities. It will be one of the great experiences of your lives.

Right now everyone is able to have a real voice and have it be nice and loud. Being loud is a really important thing right now. It's an amazing thing to watch. It's important because making noise makes change.

I don't want a job in the administration; I think I'm more effective carping from the sidelines.