I had no epiphany, no singular revelation, no moment of truth, but a steady accumulation of a thousand slights, a thousand indignities and a thousand unremembered moments produced in me an anger, a rebelliousness, a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people. There was no particular day on which I said, Henceforth I will devote myself to the liberation of my people; instead, I simply found myself doing so, and could not do otherwise.

Summary

This quote reflects on how personal experiences of mistreatment and oppression can accumulate over time, gradually sparking anger and a desire for change. It emphasizes that the decision to fight against an unjust system is not always a result of a single enlightening moment, but rather a natural response born out of numerous injustices and a growing rebelliousness. The speaker explains that they didn't consciously declare their dedication to liberation, but rather found themselves propelled into it by circumstances and the accumulated weight of those moments. It highlights the transformative power of collective experiences and the inherent necessity to stand up against injustice.