Accepted Quote by Ella Baker
![“Unless you had developed a certain independence of value, a certain independent system of value, a system of values that was independent from this middle-class drive for recognition. This has been my explanation of part of [Martin Luther King] general role. So, he accepted this without too much…” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0b6/ella-baker-10989_accepted_unless-you-had-developed-a-certain-indep_1655018.jpg)
“Unless you had developed a certain independence of value, a certain independent system of value, a system of values that was independent from this middle-class drive for recognition. This has been my explanation of part of [Martin Luther King] general role. So, he accepted this without too much resistance. In fact, none that I could ever see, and at certain points I was close enough to see something.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Discussing Martin Luther King’s independence, 1965
Independence of values means resisting middle‑class recognition drives, focusing on authentic purpose.
In simple terms: Value independence over external approval.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate personal values separate from societal pressure.
Themes
independence
values
authenticity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activism
- leadership
- education
Key Concepts
Social movements
personal agency
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal values guide your actions?
- How can you stay true amid external expectations?
A Different Perspective
Societal pressure can still influence decisions.
![“I think you can find some rationales for that if we look at the background out of which he came. Martin [Luther King] had come out of a highly competitive, black, middle-class background.” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c2a/ella-baker-10989_backgrounds_i-think-you-can-find-some-rationales-for_1379504.jpg)
![“I didn't have any close relationship with him because, although [William Edward Burghardt] DuBois may not have been as egocentric - I don't know - he certainly was not the easiest person to approach. I think, certainly, those of us who were younger sort of respected that in terms of his…” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/926/ella-baker-10989_approach_i-didn-t-have-any-close-relationship-wit_697287.jpg)
![“[Walter White] was also one of the best lobbyist of the period.” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/900/ella-baker-10989_lobbyists_walter-white-was-also-one-of-the-best-lo_712092.jpg)
![“We have reached a situation where a theory has been accepted as fact by some, and possible contrary evidence is shunted aside. [This is] mythology rather than science.” quote by Robert Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c31/robert-shapiro-26969_accepted_we-have-reached-a-situation-where-a-theo_19120.jpg)
