When you go through all your life processing and abusing your hair so it will look like the hair of another race of people then you are making a statement and the statement is clear
Assata ShakurRead
My life wasn't beautiful and creative before I became politically active. My life was totally changed when I began to struggle.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the transformative power of political activism and struggle in shaping a meaningful life.
Assata Shakur reflects on her life prior to becoming politically active, stating that it was neither beautiful nor creative. Her engagement in struggle and activism led her to find purpose and change, suggesting that confronting challenges can lead to personal transformation and fulfillment.
In practice
In a speech about social justice, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of activism in creating meaningful change.
When you go through all your life processing and abusing your hair so it will look like the hair of another race of people then you are making a statement and the statement is clear
Part of being a revolutionary is creating a vision that is more humane. That is more fun, too. That is more loving. It's really working to create something beautiful.
We had to learn that we're beautiful. We had to relearn something forcefully taken from us. We had to learn about Black power. People have power if we unite. We learned the importance of coming together and being active
I was sentenced to life plus 30 years by an all-White jury. What I saw in prison was wall-to-wall Black flesh in chains. Women caged in cells. But we're the terrorists. It just doesn't make sense.
Peace is a rare gift. Peace of mind, peaceful sleeps, and peaceful spirits are all luxuries that few rebels can ever afford.
And if I know anything at all, it's that a wall is just a wall and nothing more at all. It can be broken down.
It takes great deal of courage to see the world in all its tainted glory, and still to love it.
Let my name stand among those who are willing to bear ridicule and reproach for the truth's sake, and so earn some right to rejoice when the victory is won.
Valor grows by daring, fear by holding back.
And I'd be lying if I told you that as a black man in baseball I hadn't gone through worse times than my teammates.
It was rough being dark. I got heat from my own people more than anyone else. I remember going to my mom and saying, 'Why am I so black?' And she said, 'Because I'm black. You just gotta always work harder than the average bear.'
I've still never had a dream that I'm disabled. Never.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.