David Dinkins Quotes

Powerful David Dinkins for Daily Growth

About David Dinkins

David N. Dinkins was born on July 10, 1927, in Trenton, New Jersey, to parents David Sr., a Pullman porter, and Dorothea (Mosley) Dinkins, a schoolteacher. Raised in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Dinkins graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School before attending Howard University. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he completed his undergraduate degree at Howard and went on to earn a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Dinkins' career in politics began in 1966 when he was elected to the New York City Council as the first African American representative from Harlem. In 1986, he became the city's first black mayor, serving until 1993. During his tenure, Dinkins focused on improving race relations, expanding affordable housing, and reducing crime. One of Dinkins' most notable accomplishments was the signing of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in 1990, a federal law designed to address racial discrimination in lending practices by banks and savings institutions. This legislation played a significant role in increasing investment in low-income neighborhoods. Dinkins' political philosophy emphasized unity, cooperation, and consensus-building. His famous quote, "It is better to build bridges than to burn them," reflects this approach. Post-mayoralty, Dinkins continued to work on various issues, including urban development and interracial dialogue. He passed away on November 23, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of public service and commitment to social justice. Throughout his life, Dinkins was influenced by civil rights leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and his experiences growing up in Harlem during the Great Depression helped shape his perspective on social inequality. His major works include "A Mayor's Life: Governing New York City My First Year," published in 1993, and "In High Praise of Living: True Stories from an Honest Life," released posthumously in 2020.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We must not allow our differences to divide us. We have a common destiny."

This quote by David Dinkins emphasizes unity in diversity, suggesting that despite our differences, we all share a common future or destiny. It's a call for understanding, empathy, and cooperation among people, encouraging us to focus on our shared humanity rather than letting our differences create divisions. The message is one of harmony, cohesion, and the importance of fostering unity in society.


"The greatness of New York City lies in its diversity, and if we lose that diversity, we lose our greatness."

The statement emphasizes that New York City's strength resides in its diverse population, cultures, and perspectives. It suggests that the city's unique identity, its "greatness," is tied to this rich tapestry of diversity. If this diversity were to diminish or disappear, so too would its distinctive character and vitality. This quote highlights the importance of inclusivity, respect for differences, and understanding the role each diverse group plays in preserving the city's distinct identity and dynamism.


"It's important to always remember that all the people who make up the mosaic of this city are part of its genius."

This quote highlights the idea that the diversity of a city, represented as a "mosaic" of different peoples, contributes significantly to its overall intelligence or genius. It suggests that each individual, with their unique backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives, collectively enriches the city and enhances its intellectual, social, and cultural development. The quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing this diversity in order to fully appreciate and harness the collective potential of a city.


"We have a moral obligation not just to tolerate difference but to respect and cherish it, to learn from it and grow because of it."

The quote emphasizes that beyond merely tolerating diversity, we hold a profound ethical responsibility to acknowledge, appreciate, and value differences among us. It encourages an active engagement with diversity, learning from it and growing as individuals and society. This perspective fosters mutual respect, understanding, and growth, ultimately strengthening our communities.


"New York City is a beacon of hope for those who seek freedom and opportunity. It's a melting pot where dreams are born."

This quote by David Dinkins emphasizes that New York City symbolizes hope, freedom, and opportunity for people worldwide, particularly immigrants. The phrase "melting pot" signifies the city's cultural diversity, as individuals from various backgrounds blend together and contribute to its rich tapestry. Moreover, it underscores that NYC is a place where dreams can be realized and nurtured, fostering an environment of creativity and resilience.


I haven't committed a crime. What I did was fail to comply with the law.

- David Dinkins

Law, Fail, Committed, Comply

Children are amazing, and while I go to places like Princeton and Harvard and Yale, and of course I teach at Columbia, NYU, and that's nice and I love students, but the most fun of all are the real little ones, the young ones.

- David Dinkins

Love, Young, Students, Princeton

Some of us claim that New York City is the capital of the country, indeed the capital of the world. Now, that may be a bit much for those who don't come from New York, but clearly we are an important city for reasons of our cultural advantages.

- David Dinkins

Country, Some, Capital, Claim

We have not always agreed, but I have said repeatedly and publicly many times that Al Sharpton has never counseled violence, but he gets blamed for a whole lot of that.

- David Dinkins

Always, Repeatedly, Whole, Blamed

As a matter of fact, even when I finished law school, I had no notion of public service then.

- David Dinkins

Law, Fact, Finished, Law School

I finished law school in '56, but I was working two jobs.

- David Dinkins

School, Law, Jobs, Law School

I went downtown as a lawyer and then I worked in a liquor store at night, as I had done all through law school. And so when I got to the point where I could give up the night job, I joined the political club.

- David Dinkins

Political, Through, Had, Law School

You can't twist Al Sharpton's arm.

- David Dinkins

You, Twist, Al, Arm

I went to Israel when the missiles were falling there.

- David Dinkins

Falling, Israel, Were, Missiles

Today, certain people file for bankruptcy, businesses and individuals, and it no longer has the stigma it once had. Now it's almost considered wise, a way to regroup and come back again.

- David Dinkins

Stigma, Almost, Considered, Businesses

In 1975 I was among a group of blacks who formed the Black Americans in Support of Israel Committee.

- David Dinkins

Black, Committee, Blacks, Formed

Well, I'm not sure, but of one thing I am certain: History judges one differently than contemporary observers, and so I think that as time passes, I hope that not me personally so much, but our administration will be seen for some of the things that we accomplished.

- David Dinkins

Hope, Some, I Think, Judges

But the courts have dismissed the lawsuits against me and Lee Brown.

- David Dinkins

Me, Against, Dismissed, Lawsuits

We borrowed money, it helped us with bonds and what not, and the Federal Government backed it, but it was a guarantee, it was not a grant. And we not only paid it off, but we paid it off ahead of time.

- David Dinkins

Ahead, Bonds, Backed, Grant

So it's a mistake for someone to think that they bailed New York out. They did assist us, for which we are grateful, but it's a mistake to say we bailed New York out by giving them a grant of money to help those poor people who throw it away on welfare.

- David Dinkins

Giving, Welfare, Away, Grant

And, as a matter of fact, I am the chairman of the Amadou Diallo Foundation.

- David Dinkins

I Am, Foundation, Fact, Chairman

There is no point in me worrying about what Bloomberg or Badillo will do.

- David Dinkins

Me, Will, Worrying, No Point

The art and culture that is New York, communications, finance, all these things help make up New York. The rest of the country should be happy that we are what we are.

- David Dinkins

Rest, New, Country, Communications

This is about these particular candidates in this particular year. That's what motivates me.

- David Dinkins

Year, About, Motivates, Candidates

Well, I was about six or seven, and my mother and father separated.

- David Dinkins

Mother, Mother And Father, Separated

I love children, and most of my involvement now has to do with children or youth programs.

- David Dinkins

Love, Most, I Love, Programs

Well, I think I am a very, very lucky person. I'm very fortunate.

- David Dinkins

Think, Lucky, Very, Fortunate

I'm confident that, were I mayor, I would do some things differently than he has. But I think there's a world of difference between him and his immediate predecessor.

- David Dinkins

Think, Some, I Think, Immediate

But I make the observation that no one of us would do things exactly alike.

- David Dinkins

Observation, Things, Would, Alike

The people really are what make New York City great.

- David Dinkins

City, New York, New, New York City

My mother came here to New York. She and my grandmother were domestics, cooking, cleaning for other people.

- David Dinkins

Cleaning, New, Here, Cooking

And I tell people I'm in charge of children, children I haven't even met yet.

- David Dinkins

Children, Tell, Even, Charge

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