Politics

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 04

Shriver on Voting Rights

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week is in celebration of the 58th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which President Lyndon Johnson signed into law on August 6, 1965. Sargent Shriver's 1970 Address at the Polish American Congress Convention is both specific in its inclusion of references to Polish...

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Mar 08

The Effect of Polarization on Our Schools

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week underlines a reality that was true when Sargent Shriver spoke these words over 50 years ago and continues to be true today: that the polarization we see in politics adversely affects our classrooms, and by implication, our young people.In 1972, Sargent Shriver gave a...

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Oct 17

Transforming Leadership in America

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week invites us to reflect on the nature of leadership. It reminds us of two things: that there is a need to elevate new and diverse voices and approaches to leadership; and that within our system, winning an election and governing require two different skill sets, one of which...

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Aug 02

Seeking "a common existence"

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week reminds us that to tackle society’s biggest challenges, we must transcend the “-isms” that limit and divide us – nationalism, individualism, liberalism, conservatism – and employ the values that bind us together as a human family. It is only by focusing on our "common...

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Jul 26

Developing an Environmental Consciousness --Together

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week reminds us that our industries have developed in ways that undermine nature and that threaten our lives and our environment. It also highlights the fact that to change our reality, we must undertake a large-scale, collaborative international effort.In 1975, Sargent Shriver...

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Jun 07

Setting Our Own Direction

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week comes from an inflection point in the history of the United States, after Watergate and the end of the war in Vietnam. Today, we continue to take to heart Sargent Shriver’s observation that we, the people, can shape events during such a moment.Sargent Shriver made these...

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Jan 24

"Power, properly used ..."

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week reminds us that political power can be effective in achieving peace, but can be a destructive force if accumulated for its own sake.Sargent Shriver spoke these words while he was candidate for Vice President in the 1972 US Presidential election. Running on the...

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Jul 12

On Politics and Ethics

by Sargent Shriver Peace Institute

Our Quote of the Week reminds us that ethics must have a role in the wielding of political power. When making decisions, if political leaders do not keep the best interests of the people in mind, the people's well-being and freedoms are jeopardized.Sargent Shriver spoke these words during the...

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