Excerpt from Malcolm X Speech to Civil Rights
Workers from Mississippi (Jan. 1, 1965)
Now the point that I’m making is this:
Never at any time in the history of our
people in this country have we made
advances or advancement, or made
progress in any way just based upon the
internal good will of this country, or based
upon the internal activity of this country.
We have only made advancement in this
country when this country was under
pressure from forces above and beyond
its control. Because the internal moral
consciousness of this country is bankrupt.
It hasn’t existed since they first brought us
over here and made slaves out of us. They
trick up on the confirmation and make it
appear that they have our good interests
at heart. But when you study it, every
time, no matter how many steps they take
us forward, it’s like we’re standing on a—
what do you call that thing?—a treadmill.
The treadmill is moving backwards faster
than we’re able to go forward in this
direction. We’re not even standing still—
we’re walking forward, at the same time
we’re going backward...
So don’t you run around here trying
to make friends with somebody who’s
depriving you of your rights. They’re not
your friends. No, they’re your enemies.
Treat them like that and fight them, and
you’ll get your freedom. And after you get
your freedom, your enemy will respect
you. He will respect you.
