Dick Gregory Quotes

What those people who ask for equality have in mind is always an increase in their own power to consume.

In its present terms, the global system values property over human life.

Violating human rights is integral to the project of neoliberalism and global hegemony.

In a world of increasing inequality, the legitimacy of institutions that give precedence to the property rights of 'the Haves' over the human rights of 'the Have Nots' is inevitably called into serious question.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.

My heart is committed to giving everyone the same rights that I deserve for myself.

We've begun to get justice.

Equality is the soul of liberty; there is, in fact, no liberty without it.

Equal Rights

The fundamental democratic principles on which American Society is organized, are those principles of justice and mercy by which the guilty, the ignorant, the needy, and the infirm, are saved and blessed.

You can't build a new society by violating the rights of others.

We are not fighting for integration, nor are we fighting for separation. We are fighting for recognition as human beings. We are fighting for human rights.

When the rich plunder the poor of his rights, it becomes an example of the poor to plunder the rich of his property, for the rights of the one are as much property to him as wealth is property to the other and the little all is as dear as the much. It is only by setting out on just principles that men are trained to be just to each other; and it will always be found, that when the rich protect the rights of the poor, the poor will protect the property of the rich. But the guarantee, to be effectual, must be parliamentarily reciprocal.

… all men have equal rights; but not to equal things.

Huge inequality gaps in a democratic society will tend to erode the respect for and security of doctrines of private property. The large majority must either own property or have reasonable prospects of attaining property if they are to support and maintain private property laws and traditions.

The Western capitalist system is sunk to its neck in human problems. Despite the copious wealth that it has at its disposal, it is completely incapable of establishing social justice.

For me, it's simple: everybody deserves the same rights.

Human rights must work to uplift human dignity.

We want equality for everyone and justice when it's time for that.

Fighting for human rights, a commitment to social justice and treating people with dignity are all things that are important to us as Canadians.

You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.

It is our responsibility to stand up for equality, fairness, and civil rights.

I stand up for all rights.

Peace is not the silence of cemeteries, but the song of social justice.

People have no human rights, only the rights that they can gain on the labour market. Above all, wealth and power have to be protected.