Question

Can someone explain this quote to me please, "ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow. and politics is the bow of idealism."
-Bill Moyers

Answer 1

This is a metaphor within politics.

Answer 2

Think about what a bow does with an arrow. This is compared to what politics (bow) does with ideas in the pursuit of an 'idealism'. An arrow by itself is useless if it never is able to take flight. What Moyers is trying to say is that idealism and change are only accomplished through a force like politics.

Answer 3

Now I understand it better than how I was shown. What might the perspective of this quote be of African American living in the civil rights movement.

Answer 4

In the civil rights era, many African Americans felt that they were voiceless in politics. Though there were some great pieces of writing on the subject of Civil Rights, no one would read these ideas - of equality in a sort of stratified era. In order to get the government and whites to 'listen', African Americans resorted to demonstrative type events, like marches, really famously freedom rides, boycotts, etc.

Answer 5

So an African American would probably view the quote positively since it definitely applies to the situation.

Answer 6

Alright thank you, and if it's not a hassle, would the perspective be like from an American Solider fighting in Vietnam?

Answer 7

Sure, give me a moment

Answer 8

Alright thanks :D

Answer 9

This perspective could go either way. Many soldiers felt the war was a good thing because it was stopping the growth of Communism in Asia - many Americans felt that they had already 'lost' China to the Soviet influence and that they MUST save Vietnam .. But alternatively, the war was basically ended because of extensive protest from civilians over the wrongness of the war .. So basically, it can go either way.
- Politics could be the 'bow' for American ideals against communism, a plus for the war ..
or ..
- Politics could be a sort of negative, perpetuating war ..

Answer 10

the first part means ideas are sharp? ill look itno it im not 100% sure

Answer 11

I think it the more effective one is Politics perpetuates war. After I don't even think it was America's war to begin with. America sort of just made its way into the war right?

Answer 12

im not sure...............................

Answer 13

Yeah, basically - America sort of intervened because they were scared of communism. But yeah, many soldiers felt extremely distrustful of American politics which perpetuated an unnecessary war stemming from idealism.. it's quite sad.

Answer 14

Yeah, the cost of war was lives...

Answer 15

Thanks a lot though I understand this quote much better now!

Answer 16

wait me or the other respones

Answer 17

other responses sorry lol, he explained it to me very clearly.