“In a world where language and naming are power, silence is oppression, is violence.”

“Whatever action we take may influence the course of civilization.”

“Concerning non-violence: it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal at...”

“The limitation of riots, moral questions aside, is that they cannot win, and their participants know it.”

“I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.”

“I wrote 'Blackbird' thinking about the civil rights troubles, hoping it might give a little bit of hope.”