Stokely Carmichael Quote

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Stokely Carmichael
[aka Kwame Toure 1941-1998]
Quote taken from Boogie Down Productions/Edutainment 1990


"History can never be made by one man, we must smash this one quickly. History is made only by the masses of the people, this is clear. Even a cursory glance at the fallacious presentation Of History by the American Capitalist system, will demonstrate just this. Take George Washington, as bad as he is... put him in the middle of Valley Forge, by himself, surrounded by the British, he can do nothing. Take Martin Luther King as righteous as he is... put him in the middle of Birmingham by himself, speaking out against racism, he would be lynched. But you take this same King, you take this same Washington put them in Valley Forge, put them in Alabama surround them with thousands of people who have the same ideas they do, willing to make those ideas reality and the situation changes drastically."

Photo and info source: sunyulster.edu and wikipedia.org
I was just feeling a little Edutainment by KRS-One and Boogie Down Production. It was one of my favorite cds from my college days in Savannah. I wish for you all a safe and wonderful weekend. Peace~




Comments

Crankyputz said…
Absolutely agree, we tend to elevate people in certain situations/events and lay credit at their feet, but behind every revolutionary, there is an army of people who did the work.

And for that I always thought Winnie Mandella got the short end of the stick...
Friday, May 18, 2007 12:11:00 PM
Stephen A. Bess said…
Putz-
Well, I agree with you to a certain extent, but Winnie is very much revered in South Africa. On a list of the "100 Greatest South Africans" she is number six. The current president, Thabo Mbeki is number is seven. Nelson Mandela is number one.
Friday, May 18, 2007 12:18:00 PM
get zapped said…
Mr. Carmichael makes a great point. We must unite to make this a better world and along with this comes having faith in our fellow human being- something I struggle with in this day in age....Have a splendid weekend!
Friday, May 18, 2007 12:25:00 PM
Writing on Board said…
Martin Luther King? Great man. Great leader. Great worker and fighter for sanity and peace and freedom and civil rights. Uniting to make a better world sounds good. Sign me up.
Friday, May 18, 2007 2:38:00 PM
Stephen A. Bess said…
Zapped-
I struggle as well. I have to pray to not become too cynical about my fellow man. Thanks.

Alex-
Thanks. MLKjr was all of those things. What do you think about Stokely?
Friday, May 18, 2007 2:43:00 PM
Fabrizio said…
Thank-you, bro!

Great post again

Fab
Friday, May 18, 2007 3:06:00 PM
Stephen A. Bess said…
Fab-
Thank you brother. Enjoy your weekend.
Friday, May 18, 2007 4:08:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Great post! It's always good to gain some knowledge and I hadn't read this quote before now. Thanks!
Saturday, May 19, 2007 1:07:00 AM
Stephen A. Bess said…
Sugar-
It's my pleasure and thank you. :)
Saturday, May 19, 2007 11:20:00 AM
black feline said…
yes power to the people...in addition..Absolute power and nepotism corrupts absolutely...back home we have a new term "legalised corruption" for our so called incumbent leaders..
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 11:01:00 PM
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