America Quote by Fannie Lou Hamer
“I have just as much right to stay in America - in fact, the black people have contributed more to America than any other race, because our kids have fought here for what was called "democracy"; our mothers and fathers were sold and bought here for a price. So all I can say when they say "go back to Africa," I say "when you send the Chinese back to China, the Italians back to Italy, etc., and you get on that Mayflower from whence you came, and give the Indians their land back, who really would be here at home?"”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Civil Rights Rally, 1960s
Calls out hypocrisy of racism by highlighting contributions of Black people and other groups, demanding equal treatment.
In simple terms: All groups deserve respect; racism is unjust.
Key Takeaway
Advocate equality, challenge prejudice.
Themes
civil rights
racism
equality
justice
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- policy reform
Key Concepts
intersectionality
historical injustice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we address systemic bias?
- What actions promote true equality?
A Different Perspective
Complex history may oversimplify nuanced issues.
![“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)
