I always said this and the people think it's a cute answer, but I say we have always been in the system and that's why we fight because we don't like the system. We are trying to transform it.

Black men and women who refuse to live under oppression are dangerous to white society because they become symbols of hope to their brothers and sisters, inspiring them to follow their example.

Youths are passed through schools that don’t teach, then forced to search for jobs that don’t exist and finally left stranded in the street to stare at the glamorous lives advertised around them.

The task is to transform society; only the people can do that - not heroes, not celebrities, not stars.

The revolution has always been in the hands of the young. The young always inherit the revolution.

Power is the ability to define phenomena, and make it act in a desired manner.

Laws should be made to serve the people. People should not be made to serve the laws.

Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny.

I think what motivates people is not great hate, but great love for other people.

You can kill my body, and you can take my life but you can never kill my soul. My soul will live forever!

We have two evils to fight, capitalism and racism. We must destroy both racism and capitalism.

There is a sharp distinction between what is remembered, what is told and what is true.

One writes to make a home for oneself, on paper, in time, in others' minds.

I want to be untouchable and beautiful and completely dead inside.

Safety is always a paramount concern for us.

Usually I decide on what it is I'm writing next by the books I'm reading.

I don't believe men want women to have grotesque plastic surgery or be undernourished and bony. All the plastic surgery in the world can't stop you getting older.

I've spent my life hearing people trying to apologize for music.

So, if I were arrested or if I were killed, then after me the issues that American fears about me wouldn't exist anymore - and I couldn't tell you what those issues are

You should not take a fellow eight years old and make him swear to never kiss the girls.

To tell the truth, I never think about a homer. I'm just thinking of the situation and what I've got to do when I go to the plate.