I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.
To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.
It is better to protest than to accept injustice.
I thought about Emmett Till, and I could not go back. My legs and feet were not hurting, that is a stereotype. I paid the same fare as others, and I felt violated. I was not going back.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.
I believe there is only one race – the human race.
Since I have always been a strong believer in God, I knew that He was with me, and only He could get me through that next step.
Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again.
When that white driver stepped back toward us, when he waved his hand and ordered us up and out of our seats, I felt a determination cover my body like a quilt on a winter night.
There is work to do; that is why I cannot stop or sit still. As long as a child needs help, as long as people are not free, there will be work to do. As long as an elderly person is attacked or in need of support, there is work to do. As long as we have bigotry and crime, we have work to do.
One person can change the world.
Racism is still with us. But it is up to us to prepare our children for what they have to meet, and, hopefully, we shall overcome.
Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.
I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.
If I can sit down for freedom, you can stand up for children.
I knew someone had to take the first step and I made up my mind not to move.
Knowing what must be done does away with fear.
We didn’t have any civil rights. It was just a matter of survival, of existing from one day to the next. I remember going to sleep as a girl hearing the Klan ride at night and hearing a lynching and being afraid the house would burn down.
People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.
People need to free their minds of racial prejudice and believe in equality for all and freedom regardless of race. It would be a good thing if all people were treated equally and justly and not be discriminated against because of race or religion or anything that makes them different from others.