black
grey
blue
red
brown
white

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

It is a call for black people in this country to unite, to recognize their heritage, to build a sense of community. It is a call for black people to define their own goals, to lead their own organizations.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Black Build Community Country Organization People Sense
I usually say I did the best I could with what I had. I have no major regrets.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Best Content Myself Regret
One of the tragedies of the struggle against racism is that up to now there has been no national organization which could speak to the growing militancy of young black people in the urban ghetto.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Black National People Struggle Tragedy Young
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
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
I ain’t going to jail no more. The only way we gonna stop them white men from whuppin’ us is to take over. What we gonna start sayin’ now is Black Power!
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Black Jail Power Prison Way
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
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
Capitalism is a stupid system, a backward system.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Capitalism Stupidity System
Our noses are broad, our lips are thick, our hair is nappy-we are black and beautiful!
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Beautiful Black Ourselves
The only position for women in SNCC is prone.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Position Women
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
The masses don’t shed their blood for the benefit of a few individuals.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Benefit Blood Individual Mass
The secret of life is to have no fear; it’s the only way to function.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Fear Function Life Secret Way
I also know that while I am black I am a human being, and therefore I have the right to go into any public place. White people didn’t know that.Every time I tried to go into a place they stopped me
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Black Known Myself People Place Stop White
The first need of a free people is to define their own terms.
STOKELY CARMICHAEL

Define Freedom Need Terms

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

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

More Stokely Carmichael Quotes