Quotes from book
The Other America

The Other America

The Other America is Michael Harrington's best known and likely most influential book. He was an American democratic socialist, writer, political activist, political theorist, professor of political science, radio commentator, and founding member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He believed that American Socialists could support certain Democratic Party candidates, including candidates for President.


“Beauty can be mask for ugliness.”

Source: The Other America (1962), Ch. 2

“Life is lived in common, but not in community.”

Source: The Other America (1962), Ch. 7, sct. 4

“The laws against color can be removed, but that will leave the poverty that is the historic and institutionalized consequence of color.”

Source: The Other America (1962), p. 71
Context: The laws against color can be removed, but that will leave the poverty that is the historic and institutionalized consequence of color. As long as this is the case, being born Negro will continue to be the most profound disability that the United States imposes upon a citizen.

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