My generation took on political equality. I believe young people, who have graduated into a poor economy, have an incentive to take on much tougher issues of income equality. If they show the leadership they have demonstrated in the last few elections, they can bring changes even greater than my generation achieved.

In this quote, Eleanor Holmes Norton, an American politician and civil rights activist, reflects on the progress made by previous generations in the fight for political equality and highlights the challenges faced by younger generations. She acknowledges that her generation made significant strides in securing political equality, which typically refers to the right to vote, civil rights, and equal treatment under the law. Norton emphasizes that today’s young people, facing the pressures of a poor economy, have a unique opportunity to take on even more challenging issues, particularly income inequality.

Norton argues that the economic struggles faced by the younger generation—such as high unemployment rates, student debt, and rising costs of living—provide them with a strong incentive to tackle income inequality head-on. She believes that young people have a vested interest in addressing these disparities because they are directly impacted by an economy that does not offer the same opportunities for financial mobility as past generations. The need to challenge economic disparities becomes even more urgent when the foundation of opportunity is weaker than before.

The quote also praises the leadership and activism demonstrated by young people in recent elections, suggesting that they have the potential to bring about change that is even more transformative than the political victories achieved by previous generations. Norton expresses confidence that if young people continue to show the same level of engagement, determination, and leadership, they could spark a movement for income equality that surpasses the achievements of the civil rights and political equality battles.

Ultimately, Eleanor Holmes Norton’s quote is a call to action for the younger generation to take the reins in the fight for economic justice. She believes that today’s youth, who have already shown their ability to make an impact in the political arena, have the tools and motivation to challenge the growing disparities in wealth and income, and in doing so, create even more profound change than what her generation achieved in the realm of political equality.