QOTD - the opposite of Keep Calm

"Before Man made us citizens, great Nature made us men." James Russell Lowell, 19th century American poet

Context is everything with this one. Being unfamiliar with this quote, my first thought was that JRL was describing a social evolution, from natural animal state to the more refined sensibilities of responsible citizenry. But that didn't seem Important enough to make a calendar (even though, as I've previously illustrated, this particular calendar sets the venerability bar pretty low). 

After reading the quote a few times, and reminding myself of the political atmosphere of 19th century Cambridge, I realized it was more likely to be a call for equality. That JRL was implying that, before the law of Man started breaking humanity into "citizens" and non-citizens (at the most extreme, slaves; but also, in the context of 19th century laws, men without land and all women), Nature made us all, equally, human.

Which is truth nobly observed. But surely JRL means to inspire the reader take risks and shake up the unjust status quo, NOT Keep Calm and Carry On.