129 Black History Month Quotes

Following is our list of black history month quotations and slogans full of insightful wisdom and perspective about black history.

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Famous Black History Month Quotes

I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history. - Morgan Freeman

I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history. — Morgan Freeman

The story of the African-American people is the story of the settlement and growth of America itself, a universal tale that all people should experience. — Henry Louis Gates

The Black skin is not a badge of shame, but rather a glorious symbol of national greatness. — Marcus Garvey

That's how we do it in the black community; we give back to the people who made us who we are. We never forget that. — Snoop Dogg

Achievement has no color — Abraham Lincoln

You must begin to define yourself. You must begin to define your Black heritage. — H. Rap Brown

Be as proud of your race today as our as our fathers were in days of yore. We have beautiful history, and we shall create another in the future that will astonish the world. — Marcus Garvey

A fully functional multiracial society cannot be achieved without a sense of history and open, honest dialogue. — Cornel West

America's greatest crime against the black man was not slavery or lynching, but that he was taught to wear a mask of self-hate and self-doubt. — Malcolm X

African rights and liberty is a subject that ought to fire the breast of every free man of color in these United States, and excite in his bosom a lively, deep, decided and heart-felt interest. — Maria W. Stewart

Black culture is cool, but black issues sure aren't, huh? — Azealia Banks

Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Black is beautiful when it is a slum kid studying to enter college, when it is a man learning new skills for a new job. . . . — Whitney M. Young

American slavery was not a Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western. It was a holocaust. My ancestors are slaves. Stolen from Africa. I will honor them. — Spike Lee

The black people's struggle has vanquished racism. It was God who created colour. Today Obama, a son of Kenya, a son of Africa, has made it in the United States of America. — Muammar al-Gaddafi

Short Black History Month Quotes

  • from the slave ship to the citizenship we faced a lot of bullship — Amiri Baraka
  • Men make their own history — Karl Marx
  • The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers. — Juliette Gordon Low
  • Our noses are broad, our lips are thick, our hair is nappy-we are black and beautiful! — Stokely Carmichael

Black History Month Image Quotes

Black history month quote Life is like a piano, the white keys represent happiness and the black shows sadness, but as you go
Life is like a piano, the white keys represent happiness and the black shows sadness, but as you go through life's journey, remember that the black keys also makes music.

Black History Month Inspirational Quotes

you must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right. - Rosa Parks

you must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right. — Rosa Parks

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. - Harriet Tubman

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. — Harriet Tubman

The United States has been called the melting pot of the world. But it seems to me that the colored man either missed getting into the pot or he got melted down. — Thurgood Marshall

Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations. - Mae Jemison

Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations. — Mae Jemison

There is no negro problem. The problem is whether the American people have loyalty enough, honor enough, patriotism enough, to live up to their own constitution — Frederick Douglass

My father was a slave and my people died to build this country and I am going to stay here and have a part of it just like you. — Paul Robeson

Black history month quote Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why we call it present.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That's why we call it present.

Unconditional love will have the final word in reality. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hate is too great a burden to bear. - Coretta Scott King

Hate is too great a burden to bear. — Coretta Scott King

Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face. — Carol Moseley Braun

We are the ones we've been waiting for. — June Jordan

Black History Quotes

A wise man can play the part of a clown, but a clown can't play the part of a wise man. — Malcolm X

If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves. We should, therefore, protest openly everything ... that smacks of discrimination or slander. — Mary Mcleod Bethune

The world is a severe schoolmaster, for its frowns are less dangerous than its smiles and flatteries, and it is a difficult task to keep in the path of wisdom. — Phillis Wheatley

Black history month quote Yesterday is a history; Tomorrow a mystery; Today is a gift; That's why we call it the present
Yesterday is a history; Tomorrow a mystery; Today is a gift; That's why we call it the present

Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionarys life. When one commits oneself to the struggle, it must be for a lifetime. — Angela Davis

I felt that one had better die fighting against injustice than to die like a dog or rat in a trap. I had already determined to sell my life as dearly as possible if attacked. I felt if I could take one lyncher with me, this would even up the score a little bit. — Ida B. Wells

Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced. — James A. Baldwin

Black history month quote If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for
If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

America will tolerate the taking of a human life without giving it a second thought. But don't misuse a household pet. — Dick Gregory

How are we going to get rid of racism? Stop talking about it! - Morgan Freeman

How are we going to get rid of racism? Stop talking about it! — Morgan Freeman

Ancient Egypt was a Negro Civilization. The history of Black Africa will remain suspended in air and cannot be written correctly until African historians dare to connect it with the history of Egypt. — Cheikh Anta Diop

It cannot be denied that too often the weight of the Christian movement has been on the side of the strong and the powerful and against the weak and oppressed-this, despite the gospel. — Howard Thurman

African American History Month Quotes

The potential for greatness lives within  us all. - Wilma Rudolph

The potential for greatness lives within us all. — Wilma Rudolph

I am the dream and the hope of the slave - Maya Angelou

I am the dream and the hope of the slave — Maya Angelou

I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up. — Rosa Parks

Black history month quote A great attitude becomes a great day which becomes a great month which becomes a great year which be
A great attitude becomes a great day which becomes a great month which becomes a great year which becomes a great life.

Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us. — Susan L. Taylor

I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. — Harriet Tubman

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise. — Maya Angelou

Black history month quote Escape from the black cloud that surrounds you. Then you will see your own light as radiant as the f
Escape from the black cloud that surrounds you. Then you will see your own light as radiant as the full moon.

You have seen how a man was made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man. — Frederick Douglass

Black people have always been America's wilderness in search of a promised land. — Cornel West

Racism is not an excuse to not do the best you can. — Arthur Ashe

American means white, and Africanist people struggle to make the term applicable to themselves with ethnicity and hyphen after hyphen after hyphen. — Toni Morrison

Black History Inspirational Quotes

You're not obligated to win. You're obligated to keep trying to do the best you can every day. — Marian Wright Edelman

we are the ones we have been waiting for — Alice Walker

For I am my mother's daughter, and the drums of Africa still beat in my heart. — Mary Mcleod Bethune

Black history month quote Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny.
Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny.

I pay homage and respect to Bobby Womack [for Black History Month] knowing that he passed last year... Him being one of those artists that I have really sampled so much and just been so inspired by... You know, he is the original ‘soul man.’ — Big K.R.I.T.

Knowing what must be done does away with fear. — Rosa Parks

My challenge was to weave into the fabric of American history enough of the presence of blacks so that the story of the United States could be told adequately and fairly. — John Hope Franklin

Black history month quote Those who tell the stories rule society.
Those who tell the stories rule society.

In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress. — Booker T. Washington

You face the biggest challenge of all: to have the courage to seek your big dream regardless of what anyone says. You are the only person alive who can see your big picture and even you can't see it all. — Oprah Winfrey

I refuse to accept the view . . . that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have observed this in my experience of slavery, that whenever my condition was improved, instead of increasing my contentment; it only increased my desire to be free, and set me thinking of plans to gain my freedom. — Frederick Douglass

African American History Quotes

We have a wonderful history behind us. ... If you are unable to demonstrate to the world that you have this record, the world will say to you, 'You are not worthy to enjoy the blessings of democracy or anything else'. — Carter G. Woodson

At no time within the last five-hundred years can one point to a single instance of the Negro as a race of haters. — Marcus Garvey

Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate in the blessings of her luxuriant soil. — Richard Allen

Black history month quote Live out of your imagination, not your history.
Live out of your imagination, not your history.

Look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin. — Martin Luther King, Jr.

History is the land-mark by which we are directed into the true course of life. — Marcus Garvey

What comes forth from you as an artist cannot be controlled. But you have responsibilities as a global citizen. Your history dictates your duty. And by writing about black people, you are not limiting yourself. The experiences of African-Americans are as wide open as God's closet. — August Wilson

Black history month quote Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery, today is a gift.

There's no doubt that many of the mainstream white institutions tend to be cosmetic and symbolic when it comes to including African-Americans, whereas we black folk tend to be much more sensitive about embracing others, and we have a long history of that. — Cornel West

In the closing years of the nineteenth century, African-American historians began to look at their people's history from their vantage point and their point of view. — John Henrik Clarke

The history of a movement, the history of a nation, the history of a race is the guide-post of that movement's destiny, that nation's destiny, that race's destiny. — Marcus Garvey

I always say African American history is the quintessential American story. It's about perseverance and resilience - something everyone can relate to. — Philip Freelon

Women History Month Quotes

Now is the time to understand more, so we fear less. — Marie Curie

The only tired I was, was tired of giving in. — Rosa Parks

I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all. — Zora Neale Hurston

Black history month quote The theory that religion is a force for peace, does not fits the facts of it's history.
The theory that religion is a force for peace, does not fits the facts of it's history.

I have the right of education. I have the right to play. I have the right to sing. I have the right to talk. I have the right to go to market. I have the right to speak up. — Malala Yousafzai

If you are a black woman, you get two history months in a row. — Artie Lange

African American Quotes

I have written a song that says: If you ever lose someone dear to you, never say the words, "They're gone," and they'll come back. — Prince

If you can be the best, then why not try to be the best? — Garrett Morgan

Fighting is a sport; if you're not humble it's going to bring humbleness to you. — Mike Tyson

It doesn't matter how strong your opinions are. If you don't use your power for positive change, you are, indeed, part of the problem. — Coretta Scott King

Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live. — Mae Jemison

Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else. — Maya Angelou

If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing. — Malcolm X

In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe. — Michael Jackson

Deal with yourself as a individual, worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way. — Nikki Giovanni

Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today. — Malcolm X

People Writing About Black History Month

Name Quotes Likes
Read quotes by Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey
quotes on love, education and confidence

131 13362
Read quotes by Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman
quotes on life, facebook and happiness

250 3762
Read quotes by Henry Louis Gates

Henry Louis Gates
quotes on slavery, leadership and education

79 169
Read quotes by Snoop Dogg

Snoop Dogg
quotes on love, life and hoes

166 7015
Read quotes by Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln
quotes on leadership, success and education

1225 20600
Read quotes by H. Rap Brown

H. Rap Brown
quotes on slavery, education and freedom

18 648

More Black History Month Quotes

I am America. I am the part you won't recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me. — Muhammad Ali

This being Black History Month, I would like to ask people to celebrate the similarities and not focus on the differences between people of color and not of color. — Lynn Swann

If the only time you think of me as a scientist is during Black History Month, then I must not be doing my job as a scientist. — Neil deGrasse Tyson

It is my hope that as we commemorate Black History Month in the future, we will continue to celebrate the many achievements and rich culture of African-Americans. — Eliot Engel

Latinos outnumber Black people now. I'm not too happy about it. Because it's only a matter of time before we lose our month. Soon as they figure it out, they're going to have Latino History Month. All we're going to have is Cinco de Negro. — Alonzo Bodden

Books were my pass to personal freedom. — Oprah Winfrey

I have a dream, and a plan, to combine the commercial possibilities of Valentine's Day with the substance and meaning of black history month. I call it: Blackentine's Day. — Mo Rocca

For children, diversity needs to be real and not merely relegated to learning the names of the usual suspects during Black History Month or enjoying south-of-the-border cuisine on Cinco de Mayo. It means talking to and spending time with kids not like them so that they may discover those kids are in fact just like them. — John Ridley

If you only think of me during Black History Month, I must be failing as an educator and as an astrophysicist. — Neil deGrasse Tyson

I almost never do anything for Black History Month, because I feel it's just another way to separate us. — Alice Walker

Phillip Roth uses his Black women characters to make anti intellectual remarks about Black history month, begun by a man who reached intellectual heights that Roth will never attain. Roth is a petty bigot and his ignorant remarks about black culture expose him as a buffoon to scholars the world over. — Ishmael Reed

I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. It gets in the way of Black History Month. Cupid didn't free any slaves. — Damien Lemon

Black History Month is in the shortest month of the year, and the coldest-just in case we want to have a parade — Chris Rock

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