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If a white man wants to lynch me, that’s his problem. If he’s got the power to lynch me, that’s my problem. Racism is not a question of attitude; it’s a question of power.

Stokely Carmichael

I place my own hope for the United States in the growth of belief among the unqualified that they are in fact qualified: they can articulate and be responsible and hold power
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Belief Growth Hold Hope Myself Place Power Qualification
Now, then, in order to understand white supremacy we must dismiss the fallacious notion that white people can give anybody their freedom.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Freedom Order People Understand
Capitalism is a stupid system, a backward system.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Capitalism Stupidity System
The masses don’t shed their blood for the benefit of a few individuals.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Benefit Blood Individual Mass
Before a group can enter the open society, it must first close ranks.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Close Open Rank Society
Our noses are broad, our lips are thick, our hair is nappy-we are black and beautiful!
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Beautiful Black Ourselves
An organization which claims to speak for the needs of a community must speak in the tone of that community.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Community Need Organization Talk
So that the failures to pass a civil rights bill isn’t because of Black Power, isn’t because of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee; it’s not because of the rebellions that are occurring in the major cities.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

City Civil Failure Occur Pass Rebel Right
Leaders in Africa are so corrupt that we are certain if we put dogs in uniforms and put guns on their shoulders, we’d be hard put to distinguish them.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Corruption Dog Leadership Uniform Weapon
We had no more courage than Harriet Tubman or Marcus Garvey had in their times. We just had a more vulnerable enemy.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Courage Enemy Time Vulnerable
Go home and tell your daughters they are beautiful.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Beautiful Daughter Home Yourself
The only position for women in SNCC is prone.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Position Women
An organization which claims to be working for the needs of a community – as SNCC does – must work to provide that community with a position of strength from which to make its voice heard. This is the significance of black power beyond the slogan
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Beyond Black Claim Community Need Organization Power Slogan Strength Work
Black Power can be clearly defined for those who do not attach the fears of white America to their questions about it.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Black Define Power Question White
The secret of life is to have no fear; it’s the only way to function.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Fear Function Life Secret Way
I usually say I did the best I could with what I had. I have no major regrets.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Best Content Myself Regret

If a white man wants to lynch me, that’s his problem. If he’s got the power to lynch me, that’s my problem. Racism is not a question of attitude; it’s a question of power.

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If a white man wants to lynch me, that’s his problem. If he’s got the power to lynch me, that’s my problem. Racism is not a question of attitude; it’s a question of power.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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