What good is having the right to sit at a lunch counter if you can't afford to buy a hamburger?

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.

As the weeks and months unfolded, we realized that we were the victims of a broken promise.

[Malcolm X] had said a great deal about nonviolence, criticizing nonviolence, and saying that I approved of Negro men and women being bitten by dogs and the fire hoses, and I say, say go on and not defend yourself. I think this kind of response grew out of the build up, all of the talk about my being a sort of polished Uncle Tom.

When people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.

History is the long and tragic story of the fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily.

If we do an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, we will be a blind and toothless nation.