In South Africa, I feel I am a stranger, at best an animal.
Oliver TamboRead
It was of limited usefulness to head great rallies. The government did not listen, and, soon enough, the tear gas and the muzzles of the guns were turned against the people. The justice of our cries went unrecognized.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the frustration of people whose cries for justice fall on deaf ears, illustrating the struggle against oppressive systems.
In this quote, Oliver Tambo expresses the sentiment that organizing large protests was not effective when the government ignored the voices of the people. Despite the compelling nature of their demands for justice, the oppressive response from authorities, including violence, overshadowed their pleas, showcasing the harsh realities faced by those standing up against injustice.
Themes
JusticeOppressionProtestGovernmentSilence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a speech advocating for social justice, emphasizing the need for actionable responses to community cries.
More from Oliver Tambo
All quotes →The more pressure you bring from without, the less internal pressure is necessary.
Oliver TamboRead
The sanctions will not kill us. It's apartheid that's killing us.
Oliver TamboRead
How do you deal with a criminal that will not listen to what you have to say and who continues his policy of violence? Some say you continue to talk and let him tire himself out. But nearly 40 years after the institution of apartheid, is there anyone who still believes that verbal persuasion will work?
Oliver TamboRead
The U.S. is the last country that should see itself as an ally of the apartheid system.
Oliver TamboRead
It was becoming clear that, from being at the top at Holy Cross, we were at the bottom at St. Peter's. Objectively, this was very good, for it offered us a challenge and an opportunity to grow if we were ready to take it; and we surely were.
Oliver TamboRead
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Following Emporer Nero's command, "Let the Christians be exterminated!:" . . . they [the Christians] were made the subjects of sport; they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs, or nailed to crosses or set fire to, and when the day waned, burned to serve for the evening lights.
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For many years now, I have been an outspoken supporter of civil and human rights for gay and lesbian people. Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Ga. and St. Augustine, Fla., and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions.
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At the time I was arrested I had no idea it would turn into this. It was just a day like any other day. The only thing that made it significant was that the masses of the people joined in.
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O sir, we should have fine times, indeed, if, to punish tyrants, it were only sufficient to assemble the people! Your arms, wherewith you could defend yourselves, are gone.
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One cannot answer for his courage when he has never been in danger.
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