I'm not British. I'm not American. I'm not French. Whatever thing they practise, that is their business. I am an African. I am Rwandese.
Paul KagameRead
Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and solutions and write our story.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We must take responsibility for our own narratives and address our own challenges.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-agency and ownership in shaping our identities and futures. It suggests that rather than relying on external perspectives, individuals and communities, particularly in Africa, should acknowledge their issues and actively participate in creating their own solutions and narratives to reflect their true stories and aspirations.
Themes
AfricaOwnershipNarrativeProblemsSolutions
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about empowerment at a community forum.
More from Paul Kagame
All quotes →Nothing would catch me off guard, because I understand the world I live in. I understand it very well. And the world I live in is not necessarily a fair or just world. I have dealt with these injustices for the bigger part of my life.
Paul KagameRead
In a state of poverty, illiteracy, people just remain exposed to all kinds of manipulation. That's what we have lived. It's easier to tell a poor person, 'You know what, you are poor, you're hungry because the other one has taken away your rights.'
Paul KagameRead
We must create economic opportunity, build a culture of entrepreneurship, get people to take responsibility for improving their lives, rather than putting them in a position where they sit back in their poverty and blame others for it.
Paul KagameRead
Rwanda is not over needing aid, but we can survive with less aid than before.
Paul KagameRead
Similar quotes
No one could have fathomed what a life he'd led, for it was chiefly a life lived in his mind.
John IrvingRead
I feel more at home knowing I'm not really at home. It takes all the pressure off you trying to fit in!
John OliverRead
No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue.
George MasonRead
There's not some idea I'm going to create a work that's going to change everybody's consciousness.
Eckhart TolleRead
i usedta live in the world really be in the world free & sweet talkin good mornin & thank-you & nice day uh huh i cant now i cant be nice to nobody nice is such a rip-off regular beauty & a smile in the street is just a set-up
Ntozake ShangeRead
It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates.
Nathaniel HawthorneRead