It was very clear to me in 1965, in Mississippi, that, as a lawyer, I could get people into schools, desegregate the schools, but if they were kicked off the plantations - and if they didn't have food, didn't have jobs, didn't have health care, didn't have the means to exercise those civil rights, we were not going to have success.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker reflects on their realization in 1965 while working as a lawyer in Mississippi. They emphasize that despite their work in desegregating schools, true success in the civil rights movement cannot be achieved if individuals, particularly African Americans, continue to face other socio-economic challenges. The speaker acknowledges that simply granting access to education is insufficient without addressing issues such as employment, healthcare, and basic necessities. This quote highlights the interconnectedness of civil rights, socio-economic factors, and the multifaceted nature of progress in achieving equality and social justice.

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