Malcolm X Quotes

Right now the institution of marriage feels very one-sided, and I want to live in a country where we all have equal rights. I have so many friends who are gays and lesbians who would so badly want to get married, that I wouldn't be able to sleep with myself [if I got married before they could].

When I went to law school, nobody heard of civil rights.

This country can have no more democracy than it accords and guarantees to the humblest and weakest citizen.

The bells will ring and the marriages will begin. And it's a great day in our state for equal protection under the law for all people.

The very idea of marriage is basic to recognition as equals in our society; any status short of that is inferior, unjust, and unconstitutional.

I believe that what is legislated bleeds down into everything. So if the legislation continues to uphold anything that doesn't support equal rights and civil rights, that bleeds down into Matthew Shepard being murdered.

Secure to all … citizens a perfect equality of rights

I rejoice that I have lived to see this day, when the colored people of this favored land, by law, have equal privileges with the most favored. And I have faith to believe that ere long equal justice will be granted to the poor Indians and the Chinese.

Southern attempts to deny blacks equal rights were turning the Constitution into a sublime and beautiful scripture—into a horrid charter of wrong.

It is not force or fear, but belief in the inherent equality of man induces me to support this legislation.

I think it's important to remember that civil rights and economic rights are mutually dependent.

Ending discrimination and extending equality should always be a national priority.

The struggle for equality is really a struggle for democracy, and that's why it's a struggle for all the population.

We still have work to do in our efforts to advance equal rights for all Americans.

The reality is that the people that we represent are no longer going to be second-class citizens in their own country.

I believe in equal rights for all people.

Every segment of our population, and every individual, has a right to expect from his government a fair deal.

We must have our freedom now. We must have the right to vote. We must have equal protection of the law.

America must remain freedom's staunchest friend, for freedom is our best ally and it is the world's only hope to conquer poverty and preserve peace.

Every citizen, regardless of his race, creed, or color, is entitled to equal justice.

Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the struggle for equal rights.

Democracy is not tolerance. Democracy is a prescribed way of life erected on the premise that all men are created equal.

Civil rights are civil rights. There are no persons who are not entitled to their civil rights... We have to recognize that we have a long way to go, but we have to go that way together.

I don't think that I or any other Negro, as an American citizen, should have to ask for anything that is rightfully his. We are demanding that we just be given the things that are rightfully ours and that we're not looking for anything else.

Equality may be a fiction but nonetheless one must accept it as a governing principle.