“Let us build bridges, my friends, build bridges to human dignity across that gulf that separates black America from white America.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“Let us build bridges, my friends, build bridges to human dignity across that gulf that separates black America from white America.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon appeals for racial reconciliation and unity, using the metaphor of building bridges to signify the need for connection, understanding, and equality between Black and white Americans. The phrase “to human dignity” emphasizes that the goal is not merely integration or policy reform, but the restoration of respect, opportunity, and shared humanity. By referring to the “gulf that separates” the two communities, Nixon acknowledges the depth of racial division and historical injustice that plagued the United States.
This quote reflects Nixon’s attempts, especially early in his presidency, to address the fallout of the civil rights movement and the urban unrest of the 1960s. Though his administration’s record on race was complex—marked by both outreach and political strategies like the “Southern Strategy”—Nixon often framed his policies around themes of self-help, Black capitalism, and equal opportunity. This statement aligns with that broader rhetoric: a call for action that avoids condescension and instead focuses on empowerment and mutual respect.
In today’s context, the quote remains relevant as the United States continues to confront issues of systemic racism, inequality, and cultural division. Nixon’s words serve as a reminder that healing deep societal rifts requires more than policy—it requires a moral commitment to bridge differences with dignity. His appeal is still a call to leaders and citizens alike to forge unity not by erasing differences, but by affirming shared values and human worth across racial lines.
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