“The only way for prejudiced people to change is for them to decide for themselves that all human beings should be treated fairly.”

I believe there is only one race – the human race.

Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.

There were times when it would have been easy to fall apart or to go in the opposite direction, but somehow I felt that if I took on more step, someone would come along to join me.

The time had just come when I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed.

Racial pride and self-dignity were emphasized in my family and community.

Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.

As long as there is unemployment, war, crime and all things that go to the infliction of man’s inhumanity to man, regardless – there is much to be done, and people need to work together.

I have spent over half my life teaching love and brotherhood, and I feel that it is better to continue to try to teach or live equality and love than it would be to have hatred or prejudice.

Whatever my individual desires were to be free, I was not alone. There were many others who felt the same way.

I’m tired of being treated like a second-class citizen.

To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.

That was a difference between black slaves and white indentured servants. Black slaves were usually not allowed to keep their names, but were given new names by their owners.

It takes more than one person to bring about peace – it takes all of us.

God has always given me the strength to say what is right.

I talked and talked of everything I know about the white man’s inhuman treatment of the Negro.

I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up.

If you can only be tall because someone else is on their knees, then you have a serious problem. And white people have a very, very serious problem.

We should just come together as people. I think it’s really important to come together as humans, not as white people or black people, green and blue people.

Nothing is black or white.

Your silence will not protect you.

Many whites, even white Southerners told me that even though it may have seemed like the blacks were being freed (by my actions) they felt more free and at ease themselves. They thought that my action didn’t just free blacks but them, too.

I am a Black, Lesbian, Feminist, Warrior, Poet, Mother – stronger for all my identities, and I am indivisible.

May we continue to remember not to judge man by the color of his skin, but the content of his character.

We stand in solidarity against racism and for racial justice.