Stokely Carmichael Quotes

A collection of quotes by Stokely Carmichael.

Stokely Carmichael, also known as Kwame Ture, was a prominent American civil rights activist in the 1960s. Born on June 29, 1941, in Trinidad and Tobago, he immigrated to the United States and became a key figure in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Carmichael strongly advocated for Black power, popularizing the slogan and emphasizing black pride and self-determination. His radical and uncompromising beliefs led him to separate from mainstream civil rights organizations and eventually move towards Pan-Africanism. Carmichael's legacy continues to inspire and influence the fight against racial inequality.

I usually say I did the best I could with what I had. I have

I usually say I did the best I could with what I had. I have no major regrets.

Stokely Carmichael


An organization which claims to be working for the needs of

An organization which claims to be working for the needs of a community - as SNCC does - must work to provide that community with a position of strength from which to make its voice heard. This is the significance of black power beyond the slogan.

Stokely Carmichael

Strength

There is a higher law than the law of government. That's the

There is a higher law than the law of government. That's the law of conscience.

Stokely Carmichael

Government

The secret of life is to have no fear it's the only way to f

The secret of life is to have no fear it's the only way to function.

Stokely Carmichael

Fear

Before a group can enter the open society, it must first clo

Before a group can enter the open society, it must first close ranks.

Stokely Carmichael

Society

Black power can be clearly defined for those who do not atta

Black power can be clearly defined for those who do not attach the fears of white America to their questions about it.

Stokely Carmichael

Power

We had no more courage than Harriet Tubman or Marcus Garvey

We had no more courage than Harriet Tubman or Marcus Garvey had in their times. We just had a more vulnerable enemy.

Stokely Carmichael

Courage

The knowledge I have now is not the knowledge I had then.

The knowledge I have now is not the knowledge I had then.

Stokely Carmichael

Knowledge

I knew that I could vote and that that wasn't a privilege it

I knew that I could vote and that that wasn't a privilege it was my right. Every time I tried I was shot, killed or jailed, beaten or economically deprived.

Stokely Carmichael

Time

We were aware of the fact that death walks hand in hand with

We were aware of the fact that death walks hand in hand with struggle.

Stokely Carmichael

Death

Now, then, in order to understand white supremacy we must di

Now, then, in order to understand white supremacy we must dismiss the fallacious notion that white people can give anybody their freedom.

Stokely Carmichael

Freedom