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John Doar Quotes

Powerful John Doar for Daily Growth

About John Doar

John Doar (1913-1994) was an eminent American lawyer who made significant contributions to civil rights, notably during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Born on August 25, 1913, in Cleveland, Ohio, Doar showed a keen interest in law from an early age. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1934, he went on to study at Yale Law School and earned his J.D. in 1937. Doar's legal career began in Washington D.C., where he worked for the Department of Justice under Attorney General Francis Biddle during World War II. In 1945, he joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), a precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, serving in the European Theater of Operations during the final stages of WWII. Returning to private practice after the war, Doar developed a reputation as a tenacious and principled lawyer. He was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as the Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division in 1963, where he led the investigation into the assassination of Medgar Evers, among other significant civil rights cases. In 1967, Doar was appointed by President Johnson to lead the investigation into the killing of three civil rights workers - Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney - in Mississippi, a case known as the "Mississippi Burning" murders. The investigations led by Doar resulted in the convictions of several Klansmen. After leaving government service, Doar continued to practice law, taking on cases that furthered civil rights and social justice. His life's work earned him numerous accolades and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter in 1978. John Doar passed away in Washington D.C., on December 25, 1994. His legacy continues to inspire generations of lawyers and advocates who strive for justice and equality.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Justice is achieved when every man knows his rights and stands tall for them."

This quote by John Doar suggests that justice is attained when every individual understands their rights and has the courage to assert them. It implies that knowledge of one's rights empowers individuals, fostering an environment where they can stand tall and demand fair treatment, thereby promoting social justice. In other words, a society where each person knows and exercises their rights is a just society.

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it."

This quote by John Doar underscores the universal, unchanging nature of the truth. It suggests that regardless of one's personal feelings, perceptions, or beliefs, the truth remains steadfast and unaltered. In essence, it emphasizes the importance of seeking and upholding the truth as a guiding principle, even when it may be challenging to accept.

"If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all."

This quote underscores the importance of upholding freedom of speech as a universal value, not just for those with whom we agree or like, but for everyone, including those we dislike or find unpalatable. By defending free expression for the 'despised', John Doar emphasizes that it's our duty to protect this fundamental right in order to truly believe in its importance and maintain a healthy democratic society.

"We are not just fighting for justice for one man; we are fighting for the image of America."

This quote by John Doar emphasizes that the pursuit of justice in a specific case is not isolated, but instead represents a larger struggle to uphold and protect the values and reputation of America as a whole. It suggests that the integrity, fairness, and commitment to justice symbolize the essence of the nation and must be vigilantly defended in every situation. Thus, fighting for justice in a single case is fundamentally connected to the preservation of America's image and ideals.

"The law is the only instrument with which we can effectively strike a blow for liberty and equality."

This quote underscores the critical role of law in upholding and advancing principles of freedom and equality. In essence, it suggests that law serves as an essential tool for striking decisive blows towards justice and fairness in society. By enforcing laws, we can create a more equal and liberated world where everyone's rights are respected and protected.

I always felt that, through it all, there was a really strong, forward, positive, constructive accomplishment by the American people during that period, if you consider that during the period from 1954 to 1965, this country broke through the caste system.

- John Doar

Strong, Country, Through, Caste

Countless black citizens in the South couldn't vote. They were second-class citizens from cradle to grave. The discrimination was terrible, brutal.

- John Doar

Brutal, South, Second-Class, Discrimination

I'm not saying to you that every element of segregation and discrimination and second-class citizenship has changed. But in the political sense, the world has changed. People now who want to vote can vote.

- John Doar

Citizenship, Second-Class, Discrimination

For a black student to work in southwest Mississippi for example - or in the Delta in 1960, 1961, 1962 - was high-risk work.

- John Doar

Work, Southwest, For Example, High-Risk

You're not going to win anything with bottles and bricks.

- John Doar

Win, Bricks, Going, Bottles

To me, success is seeing that justice is done.

- John Doar

Success, Me, Seeing, Success Is

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