Ken Saro-Wiwa Quotes

I do think that part of literature's job is to comment on and participate in the social issues of the time.

I certainly think it's very important that writers as citizens - not necessarily as writers, but just as ordinary citizens - should talk about things that matter to them.

To call someone like me a writer-activist suggests that it's not the job of a writer to write about the society in which they live. But it used to be our job.

I am not a politician nor an activist but in my small way try and bring change with the kind of films I do.

I think if you're going to make political art, you have to engage at some level. You can't just write about politics, you have to try and be politics as well.

He who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or pronounces decisions.

Political involvement is more than a game.

In our age there is no such thing as 'keeping out of politics.' All issues are political issues ….

America’s youth really own this country.

One of the things that I've always not liked is the modern players have always concentrated on dancing in the end zone and BSing when serious things were going on in this country that needed to be changed. So my opinion is that when these young people stand up and risk their careers, that's a good sign for everything and all of us.

Being in service and being involved in something that is greater than you is what makes a person complete and whole. The very first thing I ever did in terms of activism was for an anti-atom bomb rally.

I'm drawn to making films that in some way move the social conversation.

I am, in general, favourable to activism and social movements and hostile to graft and corruption.

If you are a writer from Turkey, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, you don't have the luxury of being apolitical. You can't say, 'That's politics. I'm just doing my work.'

When I was very young, I took no interest in party politics. My line of interest was how can you be part of an influence to the society that you live in.

It's very important that people who are feeling the need to do something... get activated.

Even though I grew up and I didn't always like getting dragged to the meetings or the rallies or the speeches, I developed a very strong respect for participating in a democratic process.

It takes time for people to understand how, as an individual, I can have an impact on the way that society works.

Public service and community organizing and movement building is such a part of my DNA that it's really hard to separate it.

I feel as a singer and musician, it's my responsibility to talk about social issues, and you will hear about them in my music as well.

Active citizenship doesn't just mean running for office or going into politics; it means starting organisations that promote change or solve a problem, pursuing social good with economic success.

It is always better to write for the whole of society than for the poetry-reading public.

I think if you have an opportunity to live by example and make people aware of positive changes in our society, I think it's a great thing.

Social actions means that you find an issue in your community, and you create an initiative to solve that issue or to help people.

I still believe in the power of government to make lives better, and I believe that if someone is willing to take a stand, other people will follow.