A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
Malcolm XRead
We, the Black masses, don't want these leaders who seek our support coming to us representing a certain political party. They must come to us today as Black Leaders representing the welfare of Black people. We won't follow any leader today who comes on the basis of political party. Both parties (Democrat and Republican) are controlled by the same people who have abused our rights, and who have deceived us with false promises every time an election rolls around.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Leaders should prioritize the needs of Black people over party affiliations.
In this quote, Malcolm X asserts that true leadership for the Black community should not be filtered through party lines, as both major political parties have historically failed to address the needs and rights of Black individuals. He emphasizes the importance of representation that genuinely advocates for the welfare of Black people, rather than leaders who merely seek support through traditional political affiliations.
Themes
Black LeadershipPolitical RepresentationRightsEqualityActivism
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during discussions on racial equality in political forums.
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
Our foreign policy has made a wreck of this planet. I'm always in Africa... And when I go to these places I see American policy written on the walls of oppression everywhere.
Harry BelafonteRead
Politicians like to tell people what they want to hear - and what they want to hear is what won't happen.
Paul SamuelsonRead
The foremost or indeed sole condition required in order to succeed in centralizing the supreme power in a democratic community is to love equality or to get men to believe you love it. Thus, the science of despotism, which was once so complex, has been simplified and reduced, as it were, to a single principle.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The entire Islamic world condemned Iran. Nowadays, because of the unwarranted invasion of Iraq by Bush and Blair, which was a completely unjust adventure based on misleading statements, and the lack of any effort to resolve the Palestinian issue, there is massive Islamic condemnation of the United States.
Jimmy CarterRead
The Sudanese government has been playing games with the world, with the Africa Union, in particular, have been playing for time in order to conclude its mission of ethnic cleansing in the Sudan.
Wole SoyinkaRead
China is a vast, disparate country; there is no alternative to strong central power.
Lee Kuan YewRead