Ron Funches Quotes

I'd been very partial to Malcolm X, particularly his self-help teachings.

When I began my political career, I identified with Malcolm X.

Malcolm X made me very strong at a time I needed to understand what I was angry about. He had peace in his heart. He exerted a big influence on me.

Ali... we should have gone to see that movie. Malcolm X was another one.

I was about 13 or 14 when I heard Malcolm X's speech 'Message to the Grass Roots.'

I loved Elijah Muhammad with a love that I can't adequately describe.

My grandma has a picture of Louis Farrakhan playing violin in her house.

Malcolm X raised my consciousness about myself and my people and other people more than any person I know. I knew him before he became Malcolm X.

If they had not murdered Malcolm X, there probably never would have been a Black Panther Party.

If you blink, you will miss me, but I am in 'Malcolm X.'

Malcolm X was the first political person in this country that I really identified with. If he had lived and not been purged, I probably would have joined the Muslims.

We should understand the impact that Malcolm had on the whole of American society.

Fortunately, the leadership of black immigrant communities has always been present in all black liberation movements from leaders like Marcus Garvey to Shirley Chisholm to Malcolm X and Harry Belafonte. We know this is our legacy.

'Malcolm X' is my favorite Spike Lee movie.

I come from an era of black pride, black power, my father riding around listening to James Brown singing, 'Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud,' and people walking around with African medallions and Malcolm X hats.

We like to think of the '60s as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X and a little bit of friction - no, there were all of these different groups. There was the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Black Panthers, Martin and Malcolm, but also the Whitney Youngs of the world, the Bayard Rustins of the world.

With guys I revere, like Marcus Garvey or Malcolm X, their look is less about style than purpose and the expression of beauty. It wasn't just about being noticed, you know?

But when I reintroduced the Nation of Islam, and began to host meetings in cities and thousands and thousands of people come out.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my personal heroes.

The rise of African nations concurrent with the spread of the Nation of Islam and the civil rights movement gave black America a burst of pride over and above anything they had had since the decline of the movement of Marcus Garvey.

The world is better because of Coretta Scott King. She affected countless lives and her voice will be deeply missed, especially by those who carry on her incredible undertaking.

Reading the Martin Luther King story, that little comic book, set me on the path that I'm on today.

I couldn't say no to A. Philip Randolph and no to Martin Luther King, Jr. These two men, I loved them, I admired them, and they were my heroes.

Back in 1978, when I was still in high school, I went to see a Broadway show, 'Paul Robeson,' starring James Earl Jones. It was all about Robeson's journey as a human being, an artist, a champion of civil rights. Had I not seen the play, I might not have known who Robeson was. I was certainly never taught about him in school.

I grew up reading Martin Luther King and Malcolm X.