thurgood marshall

“ It is important that the strongest pressures against the continuation of segregation, North or South, be continually and constantly manifested. Probably, as much as anything else, this is the key in the elimination of discrimination in the United States. ”

“ The Ku Klux Klan never dies. They just stop wearing sheets because sheets cost too much. ”

“ When you are being challenged by a great human being, you know that you can't ship out. ”

“ Mere access to the courthouse doors does not by itself assure a proper functioning of the adversary process. ”

“ Racism separates, but it never liberates. Hatred generates fear, and fear once given a foothold; binds, consumes and imprisons. Nothing is gained from prejudice. No one benefits from racism. ”

“ Sometimes history takes things into its own hands. ”

“ This is a great country, but fortunately for you, it is not perfect. There is much to be done to bring about complete equality. Remove hunger. Bring reality closer to theory and democratic principles. ”

“ Deciding not to decide is, of course, among the most important things done by the Supreme Court. ”

“ Lawlessness is lawlessness. Anarchy is anarchy is anarchy. Neither race nor color nor frustration is an excuse for either lawlessness or anarchy. ”

“ Im the worlds original gradualist. I just think ninety-odd years is gradual enough. ”