America Quote by Fannie Lou Hamer
“I got pictures of us and they would draw big red rings around us and tell what they thought of us. I got a letter said, "I have been shot three times throught the heart. I hope I see your second act." But this white man who wants to stay white, and to think for the Negro, he is not only destroying the Negro, he is destroying himself, because a house divided against itself cannot stand and that same thing applies to America.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Civil Rights Rally, 1965
Dividing people harms both the oppressed and the oppressor; unity is essential.
In simple terms: Division destroys all.
Key Takeaway
Promote unity, reject division.
Themes
justice
unity
racial equality
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
activist
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political activism
- community organizing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
civil rights
social cohesion
self‑identity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster inclusive dialogue?
- What actions build true solidarity?
A Different Perspective
Over‑generalization can ignore nuances.
![“I met one child there eleven years old, speaking three languages [in Guinea]. He could speak English, French and Malinke. Speaking my language actually better than I could. And this hypocrisy - they tell us here in America [ that black people can't be intelligent].” quote by Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ef/fannie-lou-hamer-3999_america_i-met-one-child-there-eleven-years-old-s_78966.jpg)
![“... some of my people could have been left [in Africa] and are living there. And I can't understand them and they don't know me and I don't know them because all we had was taken away from us. And I became kind of angry; Ifelt the anger of why this had to happen to us. We were so stripped and…” quote by Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d38/fannie-lou-hamer-3999_robbed_some-of-my-people-could-have-been-left-i_142242.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
