Quotes on Black History Month

I felt somehow for many years that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake. But through the process of amendment, interpretation, and court decision, I have finally been included in 'We, the people.'

The potential for greatness lives within us all.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.

Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man.

Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously, but not themselves, those who work hard and play hard.

The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.

In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.

I used to want the words 'She tried' on my tombstone. Now I want 'She did it.'

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.

Where there is no vision, there is no hope.

Racism is man's gravest threat to man - the maximum of hatred for a minimum of reason.

I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man.