Black nationalism Quote by Malcolm X
“The white man is too intelligent to let someone else come and gain control of the economy of his community. But you will let anyone come in and take control of the economy of your community, control the housing, control the education, control the jobs, control the businesses, under the pre-text that you want to integrate. No, you outta your mind.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: The Nation of Islam Address, 1963
He warns that communities surrender economic control under the guise of integration, urging vigilance against loss of autonomy.
In simple terms: People give up control of their economy when they trust outsiders.
Key Takeaway
Protect community resources and self‑determination.
Themes
economic sovereignty
community control
integration
autonomy
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
political
activist
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- housing policy
- education reform
- job creation
Key Concepts
critical race theory
political economy
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- How can communities retain control while collaborating?
- What safeguards prevent exploitation?
A Different Perspective
Integration can also bring benefits if managed equitably.
![“Our success in America will involve two circles: Black Nationalism and Islam–it will take BN [Black Nationalism] to make our people conscious of doing for self & then Islam will provide the spiritual guidance. BN [Black Nationalism] will link us to Africa and Islam will link us spiritually to…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/71c/malcolm-x-213_america_our-success-in-america-will-involve-two_2290272.jpg)
![“[Black nationalism] is not designed to make the black man reevaluate the white man--you know him already--but to make the black man re-evaluate himself. Don't change the white man's mind; you can't change his mind. And that whole thing about appealing to the moral conscience of America--America's…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/999/malcolm-x-213_america_black-nationalism-is-not-designed-to-mak_1741004.jpg)
![“Adam Clayton Powell's entire political career has to be looked at in the entire context of the American history and the history of, and the position of the Afro- American or negro in American history. [He] has done a remarkable job in fighting for rights of black people in this country. On the…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/caa/malcolm-x-213_adam_adam-clayton-powell-s-entire-political-c_6932.jpg)
![“I believe that if we could see the chapters that are missing from the book [The Autobiography of Malcolm X], we would gain an understanding as to why perhaps - perhaps - the F.B.I., the C.I.A., the New York Police Department and others in law enforcement greatly feared what Malcolm X was about…” quote by Manning Marable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/690/manning-marable-9023_ahead-of-time_i-believe-that-if-we-could-see-the-chapt_534619.jpg)
![“If [black] nationalism could create a strong and effective insularity, deliver on its promise of self-respect, then the hurt it might cause well-meaning whites, or the inner turmoil it caused people like me, would be of little consequence.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/60f/barack-obama-17_black_if-black-nationalism-could-create-a-stro_1426805.jpg)
