There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for the... other fellow to make the first move--and he, in turn, waits for you. The minute a person whose word means a great deal dares to take the open- hearted and courageous way, many others follow. Not everyone can be turned aside from meanness and hatred, but the great majority of Americans is heading in that direction. I have a great belief in the future of my people and my country.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
... two great areas of deafness existed in the South: White Southerners had no ears to hear that which threatened their Dream. And... colored Southerners had none to hear that which could reduce their anger.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
... there is a dangerous trend observable in some quarters of the Movement to program Sapphire out of her "evil" ways into a cover...-up, shut-up, lay-back-and-be-cool obedience role. She is being assigned an unreal role of mute servant that supposedly neutralizes the acidic tension that exists between Black men and Black women. She is being encouraged--in the name of revolution no less--to cultivate "virtues" that if listed would sound like the personality traits of slaves.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I cannot say to a person who suffers injustice, "Wait." Perhaps you can. I can't. And having decided that I cannot urge caution I ...must stand with him.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
...I always said if I lived to get grown and had a chance, I was going to try to get something for my mother and I was going to do... something for the black man of the South if it would cost my life; I was determined to see that things were changed.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
We have got to stop the nervous Nellies and the Toms from going to the Man's place. I don't believe in killing, but a good whippin...g behind the bushes wouldn't hurt them.... These bourgeoisie Negroes aren't helping. It's the ghetto Negroes who are leading the way.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
It is only when we speak what is right that we stand a chance at night of being blown to bits in our homes. Can we call this a fre...e country, when I am afraid to go to sleep in my own home in Mississippi?... I might not live two hours after I get back home, but I want to be a part of setting the Negro free in Mississippi.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »