Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Quotes

Black power means Black dignity

Our [black people's] path is clear: We refuse to be inferior. We want to be exactly what Allah (God) has desired for us to be and we can't be that in their [white people's] house. We either have to take over their house or go and build a house of our own.

In my judgment, the slogan "black power" and what has been associated with it has set the civil rights movement back considerably in the United States over the period of the last several months.

If you're not brave, you're not going to be free.

I am not merely a baseball player. I am a black man who has done what he wants, gotten what he wanted, and will continue to get it.

Now I am going back And I have ripped my hand From your hand as I said I would And I have made it this far.

What I ask for the Negro is not benevolence, not pity, not sympathy, but simply justice. ... All I ask is, give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone! ... Your interference is doing him positive injury.

Malcolm X never renounced and never stepped away from a strong commitment to black nationalism and black self-determination. That's absolutely clear if you do any analysis of his speeches.

Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within. Freedom is never granted; it is won. Justice is never given; it is exacted.

When Marcus Garvey spoke about self-reliance, he wasn't only talking about people of colour. It's like self-reliance in general, for anyone. Just keep moving and moving within the right direction, and everything will be all right.

Yes, you must have the courage of being free.

The history of progress is written in the blood of men and women who have dared to espouse an unpopular cause, as, for instance, the black man's right to his body, or woman's right to her soul.

I guess my personality is that of a modern, strong Chinese woman. I don't believe in destiny. There are many things that can be changed. I don't like to be defeated by difficulties. I love freedom, so when I am shaping a character, I usually do it the way I want. I always find some part of my own character in a role.

I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.

I am not convinced the truth can make men free, but I believe it a beginning.

Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.

I had always been a free spirit and always gotten what I wanted.

The sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.

I'm not a slave to anything anymore. And I never will be again.

Let people have an education and you can't stop them.

Freedom comes from strength and self-reliance.

Whether in chains or in laurels, liberty knows nothing but victories.

'Sexy' is being independent, being confident and having fun.

But I found that disappointing people is a good thing, because disapproval is freedom.