Eric Foner Quotes

Policy makers do the right thing only if the public makes as much noise as possible.

As I review the great history of our nation, community organizers have been at the center of so many of our great social movements.

I sincerely believe blogging can save America.

When the size of the group supporting your cause reaches a critical mass, any legislator or elected official has to pay attention.

I never like to get political, but when you have the ability, through your media, to influence a large mass of people, I would want to be a part of the evolving cycle of progress vs. keeping things the way that they are.

Someone who does an act. In a democratic society, you're supposed to be an activist; that is, you participate. It could be a letter written to an editor.

Politics colours everything, and anyone who wants change is necessarily political. As an environmental campaigner more or less since I left school in the early '90s, I have always been involved in lobbying, campaigning and pushing for changes.

Our aims in political activism are not, and should not be, to create a perfect utopia.

There are reformers in every country.

Events rather than politicians have put important issues on the table.

A few people with a clear agenda can make a big difference in government.

Public policies in our democracy are eventually a reflection of public opinion," so public opinion must be reshaped if we are to avoid disaster.

Social change comes not only from the courtroom, but from talking to the media.

I'm a person who's always been politically active and passionate about people's rights.

We are the reformers. Reform ends if we leave, not just for us but also our friends in Europe who want our voice heard in Europe.

Activists have every right to espouse their views of utopia.

I think voting is the lowest form of political action that you can do. A lot of times, it keeps people from doing stronger things.

There are many ways to push for much-needed reforms: One way is to make a donation. It doesn't matter much whether you contribute publicly or in a private way - either way is good. What matters is your true intention.

Everything I do is political.

I have said it before and I will continue to say that I don't think art is the most effective form of protest. I don't think it changes policy; I think it changes discourse, and discourse can change ideas, and for me, that's what it's about: having that space for conversation.

The goal is to talk about the issues that are happening in this country with the ultimate goal of making change.

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

The free expression of the hopes and aspirations of a people is the greatest and only safety in a sane society.

It's the reason why I am always interested in engaging in people who are pushing us and pushing against the status quo. But having been an activist, the only thing that I'm always encouraging activists to do is, once you have raised the issue, and even through controversial means, you have to come behind it with an agenda and the possibility of reconciliation if power meets your demands.

If the resistance is going to bring Trump down, it will require Democrats to follow the people, not the other way around. My hope is that the Democrats will realize where their power lies, and will start taking their cues from the people on the ground and not the other way.