Revolutionary Black Liberation Leader in the U.S.
1925-1965
“So all these little advances were
made by oppressed people in other
parts of the world during 1964.
These were tangible gains, and the
reason that they were able to make
these gains was they realized that
power was the magic word—power
against power. Power in defense of
freedom is greater than power on
behalf of tyranny and oppression
because power, real power, comes
from conviction which produces
action, uncompromising action. It
also produces insurrection against
oppression. This is the only way
you end oppression—with power.
Power never takes a back step—
only in the face of more power.
Power doesn’t back up in the
face of a smile, or in the face of a
threat, or in the face of some kind
of nonviolent loving action. It’s
not the nature of power to back up
in the face of anything but some
more power. And this is what the
people have realized in Southeast
Asia, in the Congo, in Cuba, in
other parts of the world. Power
recognizes only power, and all of
them who realize this have made
gains.”
- Malcolm X on January 7, 1965
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