25 powerful quotes that speak volumes in the fight against racism

“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” –Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize award-winner, South African Anglican cleric

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.” –Rosa Parks, activist

“For it isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” –Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady of the United States

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist

“Freedom is never given; it is won.” –A. Philip Randolph, civil rights leader

“If you have come to help me you are wasting your time. But if you recognise that your liberation and mine are bound up together, we can walk together.” –Lila Watson, activist, academic, and visual artist

“A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world. Everyone you meet is your mirror.” –Ken Keyes, Jr., author

“One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.” –Franklin Thomas, philanthropist and civil rights activist

“The time is always right to do what is right.” –Martin Luther King, Jr

“If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything… that smacks of discrimination or slander.” —Mary McLeod Bethune, political activist, organiser, and educator