"The Twist was a guided missile launched from the ghetto into the heart of suburbia. The Twist succeeded, as politics, religion and law could never do, in writing in the heart and soul what the Supreme Court could only write on the books"
- Eldridge Cleaver
About this Quote
In this quote, Eldridge Cleaver is describing the popular dance craze, The Twist, as a powerful force that transcended traditional barriers and caused change in society. He compares it to an assisted rocket, suggesting that it was a deliberate and strategic movement that stemmed from the marginalized and impoverished locations of the ghetto and made its method into the affluent and privileged residential areas. Cleaver thinks that The Twist was able to achieve what politics, religious beliefs, and law might not-- it unified people from various backgrounds and composed a message of unity and approval in their body and souls. He contrasts this with the constraints of the Supreme Court, which can only make changes on paper but can not really change individuals's beliefs and attitudes. Overall, Cleaver sees The Twist as a powerful symbol of social change and a testimony to the resilience and strength of the marginalized communities.
"At the heart of the Reggio Emilia approach is the belief that children are full of potential, competent, and capable of constructing their own learning"