Racism is so universal in this country, so widespread and deepseated, that it is invisible because it is so normal.
Shirley ChisholmWhen the Kerner Commission told white America what black America has always known, that prejudice and hatred built the nationโs slums, maintains them and profits by them, white America could not believe it. But it is true. Unless we start to fight and defeat the enemies in our own country, poverty and racism, and make our talk of equality and opportunity ring true, we are exposed in the eyes of the world as hypocrites when we talk about making people free - (Chapter 9).
Shirley ChisholmI stand before you today as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the presidency of the United States. I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I'm not the candidate of the women's movement of this country, although I am a woman, and I'm equally proud of that. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests... I am the candidate of the people...
Shirley Chisholm