A biography for Kerry Kennedyhasn’t been written yet.
“Dr. King gave his life to peace and justice and reconciliation between people, black and white, rich and poor, and he was a great hero for not only people who were oppressed in our country but for people who believed in justice both here and around the world.”
“It's important to reach out to people who are marginalized.”
“The U.S. government must stand on the side of human rights, the rule of law, and democratic progress, not impede or otherwise stunt such progress.”
“When I started working in human rights, Eastern Europe was communist, South Africa was under apartheid and South Korea had military rule. All the changes have come about not because of the militaries or government but because small groups of people spoke out against what was unfair and unjust.”
“Hate is a learned reaction, and it can be unlearned.”
“Daddy was never ruthless but he was tough.”
“Having a sense of humor is a part of being courageous. It's a source of strength.”
“Forgiveness is a gift, and central to faith.”
“All holy days, no matter the religion with which they are associated, contain lessons for all humanity.”
“I've learned powerful lessons about the nature of forgiveness from human rights defenders. For example, for the greater good of his country, Kofi Woods emerged from a torture chamber in Liberia to later defend the very men who had brutalized him.”
“I understood at a young age that administrations come and go, but laws stay. So I decided to become a lawyer in order to help create a more just and peaceful world, not just in a fleeting moment but in a way that will endure from one generation to the next.”
“We need autocracies and failing democracies alike to understand that they cannot scapegoat LGBT citizens to distract from their own shortcomings.”
“Well, I don't think any of the Republicans have expressed any interest in supporting the vision of Robert Kennedy at all. At least I haven't seen that.”
“I come from a military family, where service is seen as a badge of honor.”
“Nelson Mandela represents an enduring example of the human spirit and he proved for eternity that the ideals of democracy and human rights can overcome even the direst of circumstances.”
“My father believed young people are among our nation's most valuable resources, and so we should ensure that every child - including children and youth returning from the justice system - have access to the opportunities we would want for our own children.”
“You don't need a passport to work on human rights.”
“Over the decades people from all walks of life have told me, 'When your father died, so did my hope.'”
“My father loved democracy. He loved the ancient Greeks because they invented democracy, and he shared their contempt for those who refused to participate in the political process.”
“It's obvious that China faces a range of demographic and economic difficulties stemming from its own population growth, and that the global community has a vested interest in avoiding the worst impacts of that growth.”