Gays are beginning to realize what blacks learned long ago: Unless you are out here fighting for yourself then nobody else will help you. I think the gay community has a moral obligation to continue the fight.
BAYARD RUSTIN
BAYARD RUSTIN
Bayard Rustin on fighting
Bayard Rustin50 quotes“Gays are beginning to realize what blacks learned long ago: Unless you are out here fighting for yourself then nobody else will help you. I think the gay community has a moral obligation to continue the fight.”
More from Bayard Rustin
God does not require us to achieve any of the good tasks that humanity must pursue. What God requires of us is that we not stop trying.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin Loving your enemy is manifest in putting your arms not around the man but around the social situation, to take power from those who misuse it at which point they can become human too.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin I don’t want to seem intolerant to them and I think we have to say that to them with a great deal of affection, but remaining in the closet is the other side of the prejudice against gays. Because until you challenge it, you are not playing an active role in fighting it.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin Twenty-five, 30 years ago, the barometer of human rights in the United States were black people. That is no longer true. The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin You have to join every other movement for the freedom of people.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin Black gay activists should try to build coalitions of people for the elimination of all injustice.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin I am an opponent of war and of war preparations and an opponent of universal military training and conscription; but entirely apart from that issue, I hold that segregation in any part of the body politic is an act of slavery and an act of war.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin The proof that one truly believes is in action.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin I would say except when I have been attacked the black community has seldom seen fit to even mention the gay aspect. And since when I have been attacked I have usually been defended by the black community,
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin I believe in social dislocation and creative trouble.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin Today, blacks are no longer the litmus paper or the barometer of social change. Blacks are in every segment of society and there are laws that help to protect them from racial discrimination.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin Let us be enraged about injustice, but let us not be destroyed by it.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. But when you’re right, you’re wrong anyhow.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin The moral man is he who is opposed to injustice per se, opposed to injustice wherever he finds it; the moral man looks for injustice first of all in himself.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin If people do not organize in the name of their interest, the world will not take them as being serious. And that is the chief reason that every person who is gay should join some gay organization. Because he must prove to the world that he cares about his own freedom.
Bayard RustinBayard Rustin
Original quotes
From our community writers
Poetry is the voice of the soul and the inspiration of the heart.
Teresa PeresTeresa Peres But it was now time for her to go away-to find someone who could show her what happiness was.
Lang LeavLang Leav Just because you haven’t seen how wonderful, beautiful, and special she is, doesn’t mean no one else will.
Norah RoseNorah Rose A memory is a star or a stain.
Aneena BijuAneena Biju Love her, but don’t forget to leave her wild.
Little PaulsonLittle Paulson Do your own thing and live your way of happiness.
Emily BockEmily Bock I’ve experienced departure far too much to have the courage and call anyone my own.
Mira R. AridiMira R. Aridi More often than I am not, all I need is the rise of my own lungs – I am already complete.
Shelby EnsignShelby Ensign
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More on fighting
People are terrified to be set free – they hold on to their chains. They fight anyone who tries to break those chains. It’s their security..
Jim MorrisonJim Morrison How can I set free anyone who doesn’t have the guts to stand up alone and declare his own freedom? I think it’s a lie – people claim they want to be free
Jim MorrisonJim Morrison Above all, you must fight conceit, envy, and every kind of ill-feeling in your heart.
Abraham CahanAbraham Cahan You’re only as much as you settle for. If they settle for being somebody’s dishwasher that’s their own f***ing problem.
Janis JoplinJanis Joplin I am troubled, immeasurably by your eyes. I am struck by the feather of your soft reply.
Jim MorrisonJim Morrison You must never tire fighting Satan.
Abraham CahanAbraham Cahan Fighting fire with fire only gets you ashes!
Abigail Van BurenAbigail Van Buren At the same time the Muslims are commanded to exercise self-restraint as much as possible.
Abdullah Yusuf AliAbdullah Yusuf Ali