Robert Redford’s Fiercest Quotes on Land, Power, and Protest
The wild remembers him. So do we.
Robert Redford was fearless in his pursuit of a better world, and his bold activism was trailblazing in every sense of the word. With a steady presence and contagious resolve, he led—and won—fights to protect our public lands.
I revisited his work today, and his story filled me with hope. I hope his words move you too.
FIGHTING FOR THE LAND:
Anytime anybody voices a concern about the quality of life that we’re going to be leading, we’re called environmentalists. And if that’s so, I am an environmentalist.
What am I gonna say to my kids? What are you gonna say to yours, about the earth we’ve left them? Are we gonna say, ‘I’m sorry’? I find that unthinkable.
Protecting important, safe places, like Alaska Refuge, is part of a core value of American life.
POLITICS:
This is land that should belong to the people, and should stay with the people, not in the pockets of politicians who have short-term, dubious views.
Stop listening to the self-interested propaganda of oil companies and their parrots in Congress. It’s bad for our health.
I think it’s time for the American people to take charge of their own livelihood and say, let’s stop this. Let’s move to a clean energy policy, which is available to us.
WORKING FOR CHANGE:
Art and nature combined makes the world a better place.
There are no easy answers, no clear solutions. There’s only what each of us is willing to do.
There’s this life to lead. Why not live it as much as you can, as long as you can?
His vision lives on.
Redford spoke effortlessly and persistently about the connection between environmental health and human rights. He withstood protests and threats and overcame unlikely odds in fights for wildland. He was compassionate to those caught in a system that exploited them, and relentless in his attack on the powerful people who held it up.
In every cause he took on, Robert Redford cemented his legacy as a helper and a hero. And we are forever grateful.
With love and hope for the future,
Stephanie
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What do Redford’s words stir in you?
https://www.redfordcenter.org/films/robert-redfords-environmental-legacy/
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-08-vw-464-story.html
Thanks for writing this—I have been a huge "fan" of his work, both in the arts and for his considerable environmental committment. His positive contributions to our world are beyond cataloging...but we should try!
What do they stir? that we must try our best to be better - for ourselves for our earth for the children.