Black History Month Quotes That Celebrate Black Excellence Beyond February
“I think the political and democratic apparatus has woken up to see the real value of Black women and now they are doing all kinds of things to hold on to it and bring black women into the fold and black women are like, ‘We just want you to hire us, give us resources, let us lead, and get out of our way.'” — Symone D. Sanders, political strategist.
"I don’t want a black history month. Black history is American history." — Morgan Freeman
"We are not makers of history. We are made by history." — Martin Luther King jr.
"In times of crisis the wise build bridges; the foolish build barriers." — Chadwick Boseman
"Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth." — Tamera Mowry Housley
"Listen to the rhythm of your own calling and follow that." — Oprah Winfrey
“I’m very proud to be black, but black is not all I am. That’s my cultural historical background, my genetic makeup, but it’s not all of who I am nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.” — Denzel Washington
“I knew then and I know now when it comes to justice there’s no easy way to get it.” — Claudette Calvin
"Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me." — Zora Neale Hurston
"Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable. I didn't have to become perfect because I've learned throughout my journey that perfection is the enemy of greatness." — Janelle Monae
"I realized that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume, it was something I just had to be." — Lupita Nyongo
"Beauty is not just a white girl. It's so many different flavors and shades." — Queen Latifah
"I am coming down from the mountaintop to tell every young person that is poor and working class, and has been told regardless of the color of your skin that you don't belong, don't listen to them. They don't even know how they got at those seats." — Michelle Obama
"I feel like, when people realize that they are the only person they need to impress, everybody’s life will be a lot smoother." — Megan Thee Stallion
"I'd rather regret the risks that didn't work out than the chances I didn't take at all.” — Simone Biles
"I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin, and the feelings that I have are all worthy and okay." — Tracee Ellis Ross
"My pain is valid, my perception is valid, and my success is valid. I'm not just another strong Black woman, I'm a powerful voice that won't allow other opinions to weigh her down or belittle herself." — Priscilla Frederick
"We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.” — Angela Davis
“Defining myself, opposed to being defined by others is one of the most difficult challenges I face.” — Carol Mosely Braun
"We do what we have to so we can do what we want to." — James Leanard Farmer, civil rights activist
“We proved that we are still capable of doing big things and tackling our biggest challenges.” — Barack Obama
“Be the best version of yourself in anything you do. You don’t want to live anyone else’s story.” — Steph Curry
“If you are fortunate to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure others have opportunities as well.” — Kamala Harris
"In order to see where we are going we not only must remember where we have been, but we must understand where we have been." — Ella Baker
"Every girl has potential. She has promise. She has the right to learn, the right to be heard, the right to play, and to discover. The right to be exactly who she is." — Meghan Markle
"In complete darkness we are all the same; it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us. Don't let your eyes deceive you." — Janet Jackson
"Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated." — Coretta Scott King
"Won’t it be wonderful when black history and Native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history." — Maya Angelou
"Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness." — Ola Joseph
"You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it." — Malcolm X
There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.” —Rita Dove
“I found that every time I asked permission, the answer tended to be no so I had to make my own yes.” — Issa Rae
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“I think the political and democratic apparatus has woken up to see the real value of Black women and now they are doing all kinds of things to hold on to it and bring black women into the fold and black women are like, ‘We just want you to hire us, give us resources, let us lead, and get out of our way.'” — Symone D. Sanders, political strategist.
This small sampling of Black History Month quotes capture the triumphs, joy, and experiences of Black Americans.
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