A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
Malcolm XRead
Concerning non-violence: it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.
Interpretation
Non-violence should not come at the cost of self-defense against continual aggression.
Malcolm X's quote emphasizes the importance of self-defense, especially for those who are frequently subjected to violence. It asserts that while non-violence is a desirable approach, it becomes morally questionable to dissuade a person from defending themselves when they are repeatedly attacked. This highlights the intersection of justice, morality, and the right to resist oppression.
In practice
This quote can be used in discussions about social justice movements.
A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
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.
When you want a nation, that's called nationalism... Black nationalism. A revolutionary is a Black nationalist. He wants a nation.
So over you is the greatest enemy a man can have β and that is fear. I know some of you are afraid to listen to the truth β 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...
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.
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.
A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.
Those who rebelled against totalitarian rule and those who simply managed to remain themselves and think freely, were all persecuted. We should not forget any of those who paid for our present freedom in one way or another.
It takes courage to grieve, to honor the pain we carry. We can grieve in tears or in meditative silence, in prayer or in song. In touching the pain of recent and long-held griefs, we come face to face with our genuine human vulnerability, with helplessness and hopelessness. These are the storm clouds of the heart.
The goal of any true resistance is to affect outcomes, not just to vent. And the only way to affect outcomes and thrive in our lives is to find the eye in the hurricane and act from that place of inner strength.
You want to be a hero? Learn to create certainty in the face of fear.
The time comes in the life of any nation when there remain only two choices - submit or fight. That time has now come to South Africa. We shall not submit and we have no choice but to hit back by all means in our power in defence of our people, our future, and our freedom
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