A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
Malcolm XRead
The black man in North America was sickest of all politically. He let the white man divide him into such foolishness as considering himself a black 'Democrat,' a black 'Republican,' a black 'Conservative,' or a black 'Liberal' ...when a ten-million black vote bloc could be the deciding balance of power in American politics, because the white man's vote is almost always evenly divided.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the political fragmentation within the Black community in America and critiques their division into different political identities.
Malcolm X's quote emphasizes the detrimental effects of racial and political divisions among Black Americans. He argues that by identifying themselves strictly along party lines—such as Democrat, Republican, Conservative, or Liberal—they overlook their collective power as a unified voting bloc, which could significantly influence political outcomes. This reflection prompts a consideration of identity politics and urges the Black community to recognize their potential strength in unity.
Themes
PoliticsUnityIdentityPowerDivision
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political engagement, one might quote Malcolm X to emphasize the importance of unity among marginalized groups.
More from Malcolm X
All quotes →I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he's wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil.
Malcolm XRead
When you want a nation, that's called nationalism... Black nationalism. A revolutionary is a Black nationalist. He wants a nation.
Malcolm XRead
So over you is the greatest enemy a man can have — and that is fear. I know some of you are afraid to listen to the truth — you have been raised on fear and lies. But I am going to preach to you the truth until you are free of that fear...
Malcolm XRead
Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.
Malcolm XRead
Time is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. You don't need anything else.
Malcolm XRead
Similar quotes
You will find that you cannot do without politicians. They are a necessary evil in this day and time. You may not like getting money from one source and spending it for another. But the thing for the school people to do is that if the politicians are going to steal, make them steal for the schools.
Huey LongRead
Look at the coded language the Right is using against President Barack Obama. Openly calling him a liar in Congress, saying he is 'not a Christian, he was not born here, he is not one of us.' That makes addressing such issues trickier for the first African-American in the White House.
Jesse JacksonRead
The power of the State must be invoked for restoring economic freedom just as it has been invoked for destroying economic freedom.
Hilaire BellocRead
We can either be governed by fear - fear of immigrants, fear of Muslims, call the press the enemy of the people, tear kids away from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border - or we can be governed by our ambitions and our aspirations and our desire to make the most out of all of us. And that's America at its best.
Beto O'RourkeRead
Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry.
Winston ChurchillRead
Political tags - such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth - are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.
Robert A. HeinleinRead