Throughout history, leaders, authors, and philosophers have reflected on the results of hatred and intolerance. Their words serve as inspiration for thinking about what you can do to stop hatred and discrimination.

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”
Maya Angelou (1928-)

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
Edmund Burke (1720-1797)

“To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice.”
Confucius (552-479 B.C.)

“Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.”
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

“How do we create a harmonious society out of so many kinds of people? The key is tolerance, the one value that is indispensable in creating community.”
Barbara Jordan (1936-1996)

“In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead (1901-1978)

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Barack Obama (1961-)

“You have enemies? Good! It means you stood up for something at least once in your life.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

“The cruelest lies are often told in silence.”
Robert Lewis Stevenson (1850-1894)

“Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
Elie Wiesel (1928-)

And here are a few memorable lines from past Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out participants:

“I wanted to show the world that being different was okay.”
Justin Bachman (Solon High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out Scholarship Winner

“I hope that one day there will be nothing left to say about racial tolerance for it will become a natural act—not one that requires discussion.”
Anja Block, 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out First Runner-Up

“Discrimination . . . and ignorance further leads to our separation.”
Randall Gregory (Beaumont High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out Honorable Mention

“I want to change many worlds shattered by hate the way my world has been changed by love.”
Jessica Hartig (Solon High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out Honorable Mention

“…we accept and expect mediocrity by perpetuating stereotypes.”
Brandon McGhee (Brush High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out Honorable Mention

“Stopping hate begins with not being a bystander.”
Taylor Jones (Shaker Heights High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 2nd Place Winner, 10th Grade

“All it took was one person to break the silence.”
Erin King (Magnificat High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 1st Place Winner, 10th Grade

“We can all understand alienation.”
Madeleine Shutt (Cleveland Heights High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 3rd Place Winner, 10th Grade

“I did not let hate control me, but used education to turn the discrimination into understanding.”
Greg Davidson (Solon High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 1st Place Winner, 9th Grade

“We cannot let the opinions of others stop us from getting to know a person.”
Regina McWilliams (Our Lady of the Elms High School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 3rd Place Winner, 9th Grade

“Do what’s right, for yourself and for others.”
Jordan Major (Roxboro Middle School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 3rd Place Winner, 8th Grade

“Just because I was different didn’t mean I couldn’t make a change.”
Carly Conrad (Copley Middle School), 2014 Stop the Hate®: Youth Speak Out 1st Place Winner, 6th Grade

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