A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
Malcolm XRead
I am a Muslim and . . . my religion makes me be against all forms of racism. It keeps me from judging any man by the color of his skin. It teaches me to judge him by his deeds and his conscious behavior. And it teaches me to be for the rights of all human beings, but especially the Afro-American human being, because my religion is a natural religion, and the first law of nature is self-preservation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Malcolm X emphasizes that his Islamic faith guides him to reject racism and to evaluate people based on their actions rather than their race.
In this quote, Malcolm X advocates for a worldview shaped by his Muslim beliefs, which teach him to see beyond skin color and appreciate the moral character of individuals. He argues that true judgment should be based on one's actions and consciousness, promoting equality and advocating particularly for the rights of Afro-Americans, as he sees this as a natural extension of his faith that prioritizes self-preservation and justice for all.
Themes
RacismFaithEqualityJudgmentHuman Rights
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for social justice and equality.
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.
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When you want a nation, that's called nationalism... Black nationalism. A revolutionary is a Black nationalist. He wants a nation.
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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...
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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.
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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
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