Civil Rights
On our blog, we share our Quote of the Week as well as other insights about our work and about our community. As our society continues to struggle with some of the same issues that Sargent Shriver focused on -- poverty, racism, inequality, war -- we believe it's important to share our stories with each other. Do you have a story to share about Sargent Shriver or about one of the issues he cared about? Share your story with us by emailing it to info@sargentshriver.org. Maybe we'll post it here!
Aug
03
Remembering John Lewis
Our Quote of the Week pays tribute to Congressman John Lewis (February 14, 1940-July 17, 2020). Although we lost Rep. Lewis to pancreatic cancer in July, his example of leadership and service will continue to guide and inspire us for generations to come.On April 27, 2001, the Shriver Center...
Jul
13
"The only just, fundamental, and permanent remedy" for discrimination
by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
Our Quote of the Week marks the seventh anniversary of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Although spoken 64 years ago, Sargent Shriver's words remind us of one of Black Lives Matter's fundamental messages: that we cannot rest until we achieve equal justice and protection for our African American...
Jun
15
The Cost of White Supremacy
by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
Our Quote of the Week shines a light on a basic truth: that to continue to uphold white supremacy in the United States is ultimately destructive for all of us.In 1957, Sargent Shriver spoke these words at Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Church. He was the head of the Public School Board and the...
Jun
01
Bringing Discussions about Race into Our Sacred Spaces
Our Quote of the Week spotlights something we can do on a regular basis as a step towards dismantling systemic racism: bring the topic of race relations into our sacred spaces. Discussion alone will not help us overcome the moment we are in. But with sustained effort and by matching our words and...
Feb
10
Some Reflections on Being an Ally during Black History Month
by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
Some Reflections on Being an Ally during Black History MonthOur Quote of the Week shows us how to confront the racism that has been in our culture for centuries, and that is increasingly visible in our communities and institutions right now. As we move through Black History Month, Sargent...
Jan
20
For MLK Day: Some Thoughts on Racism, Privilege, and Being an Ally
by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
Our Quote of the Week for this Martin Luther King Day zones in on what is at the heart of racism: the desire to feel superior, combined with the fear of being less than. This clash of deep-seated human emotions has fueled racism, white supremacy, and oppression for centuries. Sargent Shriver...
Jan
13
"Our community is the world"
by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
Our Quote of the Week reminds us of the ties that bind our human family. To ignore the suffering of those we think of as "other," particularly when they are far away, may seem like an easy thing to do, but in our interconnected world, the suffering of others will make its way back to us...
Oct
28
The Land of Opportunity ... for ALL of us
by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute
Our Quote of the Week links together two battles that were central to Sargent Shriver's work: one to achieve civil rights, and the other to end poverty for all Americans. Our quote is from Sargent Shriver's March 1964 Address to the United Negro College Fund Symposium, an early speech from...
