Black history is an annual observance that is celebrated in many countries around the world including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. It is celebrated to highlight the importance and recognize the greatest leaders, events, and important contributions of African Americans throughout history.
Black history month is traditionally celebrated from the 1st of February to the 1st of March annually, coinciding with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
It is important to celebrate Black history, that is American history their struggle and story must be told and their success and achievement must be applauded for.
40 Black History Month Quotes That Are Powerful And Strong
Here is a list of 40 Black History Month Quotes that will inspire you for sure:
1)“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.” —Dr. Mae Jemison
This black history month quote empowers everyone who is racially suppressed to break the walls that society has created for them and rise.
2)“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.” —W.E.B. Du Bois
3)“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”
This black history month quote tells us to be considerate of our fellow beings and not discriminate against them. By respecting others and not judging them, we pay respect to ourselves.
4)“Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.” —Susan L. Taylor
This quote by Susan L. Taylor tells us to believe in ourselves and never give up. That belief will work wonders and help us in reaching our goals.
5)“Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.” —Carol Moseley-Braun
This black history month quote sheds light on the struggles endured by those who are racially discriminated against.
6)“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.” —Desmond Tutu
This quote by Desmond Tutu implies that we need one another to discover our magnificence and allow it to shine by what we do with our lives.
7) “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” —Frederick Douglass
This black history month quote motivated us to keep trying as our efforts will surely pay off one day.
8)“Have a vision. Be demanding.” —Colin Powell
Colin Powell motivates us to have goals and to be firm in what we believe in. This black history month quote tells us to be demanding of our rights and our visions.
9)“Freedom is never given; it is won.” —A. Philip Randolph,
This quote on Black history month by A. Philip Randolph tells us to fight for what we believe in and not be suppressed in any form.
10)“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear.” —Rosa Parks
This quote on Black history month implies that knowing what must be done does away with fear. When we know what we want and what to do, we diminish all our fears and achieve our goals.
11) “Wherever there is a human being, I see God-given rights inherent in that being, whatever may be the sex or complexion.” —William Lloyd Garrison.
This quote makes us realize that all of us are born into this world with the same rights irrespective of our race and gender and to take away those rights is something that we must stand against.
12)“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” —Muhammad Ali
This quote on Black history month once again encourages us to take that leap of faith and work towards what we believe in. Only then we will be successful in life.
13)“Truth is powerful and it prevails.” —Sojourner Truth
This quote focuses on the power of truth. No matter how much the truth or opinions are suppressed, sooner or later justice will prevail.
14)“Hold on to your dreams of a better life and stay committed to striving to realize it.” —Earl G. Graves, Sr
We must set goals for ourselves and must focus on achieving them with 100% commitment and our complete efforts.
15)“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
Through this quote on Black history month, Maya Angelou expresses her desire to finally be accepted as a native American and for her people to be recognised and appreciated after so many years of struggle.
16) ”I swear to the Lord I still can’t see why democracy means everybody but me.” —Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes expresses the bias and discrimination faced by black Americans through this quote on Black history month.
17)“I’m not quite sure what freedom is, but I know damn well what it ain’t. How have we gotten so silly, I wonder.” —Assata Shakur
Through this quote on Black history month, Assata Shakur expresses her pain caused by the restriction forced upon by the black Americans and the injustice experienced by them.
18)“I knew then and I know now when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it.” —Claudette Colvin
This quote on Black history month implies that we cannot attain freedom and justice without a struggle. We must endure the obstacles to achieve what we want.
19) “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
Through this quote, it is evident that this racial struggle has been going on for generations and is still prevalent.
20) “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
This quote on Black history month by the famous Martin Luther King Jr. spreads the message of love. We must show love even to our wrongdoers, that is the only way we can win them over.
21)“It isn’t where you come from; it’s where you’re going that counts.” – Ella Fitzgerald
Through this quote on Black history month, we learn that it is the journey and efforts that matter not our background- that is, gender, race, etc
22)“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Barack Obama
This quote by Barack Obama motivates us to contribute to society and bring about the change that we want to see.
23)“I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.” —Morgan Freeman
This quote on quote on Black history month once again focuses on the recognition, efforts, and achievements of Black Americans.
24)“Racism isn’t born, folks, it’s taught. I have a two-year-old son. Do you know what he hates? Naps! End of list.” —Dennis Leary
This quote by Dennis Leary says that racism is bred and nurtured and is not an inborn quality. Hence we must neither be racially discriminating against anybody nor preach it.
25)“I am lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger.” —Serena Williams
Serena Williams says that if we have a strong desire to achieve something, we will not have any fear inside of us.
26)“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” —Shirley Chisholm
This quote on Black history month once again speaks about the struggle we must endure to achieve something. Even if the other person pushes us down, we must find a way to rise.
27)“Black History Month must be more than just a month of remembrance; it should be a tribute to our history and reminder of the work that lies in the months and years ahead.” —Marty Meehan
This quote throws light on Black History month from a perspective, wherein this month is looked at as a tribute to the struggles faced by Black Americans in the past and the hopeful era that lies ahead of them.
28)“Black history isn’t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people.” —Karyn Parsons
These Black History month quotes get us all emotional and thinking, don’t they?
29)“We have a wonderful history behind us…and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements.” —Carter G. Woodson
This quote on Black history month focuses on the importance of learning from our past and moving ahead wisely.
30)“If everything was perfect, you would never learn and you would never grow.” —Beyonce Knowles
Beyonce Knowles says that it is essential to go through certain experiences in our lives as they serve as important lessons for us as we move ahead.
31)“I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” —Madam C.J. Walker
This quote on Black history month tells us that is necessary for us to bag every opportunity that comes by and look for all the possible ways to get what we want, instead of waiting for someone to provide us with an opportunity.
32)“The battles that count aren’t the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself—the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us—that’s where it’s at.” —Jesse Owens
Before we blame somebody else or the situation for our failures, we must look inside ourselves and find ways to better our skills.
33)“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope… and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” —Robert F. Kennedy
This quote on Black history month tells us that every decision or change we make has an impact on others. Every time we opinionate on a certain topic, it inspires someone else to do the same.
34) “There is no vaccine for racism.” —Kamala Harris
35)“Activism is my rent for living on the planet.” —Alice Walker
Wherever we go, we will find people who are unjust, morally wrong, and evil. As human beings, we must speak up for what is right and try and bring about a change in society.
36)“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be anti-racist.” —Angela Davis
Through this quote on Black history month, Angela Davis sheds light on the importance of being vocal about injustice rather than turning a deaf ear to it.
37) “Yes we can!” — Barack Obama
This quote on Black History month is simple yet so powerful. If we put our mind and heart into what we want to do we can achieve anything.
38) “It’s not about colour. It’s about love.”
This quote on Black history month spreads the message of love. It spreads the message that love knows no boundaries, race, gender, etc
39) “Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.” — Barbara Jordan
This quote on Black history month tells us to not judge someone based on their colour, rather look at their talents and skill that they possess.
40)“We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.” – Carter Woodson
Through this powerful quote Black History month, Carter Woodson says that we should look towards creating an era in history where the world is devoid of all forms of discrimination.
We must look at native Americans and appreciate their efforts and commend them for coming this far in their struggle. Their opinions and voice cannot be suppressed anymore. They have the same rights as anyone else does on this planet and these rights cannot be snatched away from them
It is heartbreaking to see the unjust deaths of Black men and women around the country but the Black Lives Matter protests show that they will revolt against any injustice done to them.
Through the above 40 quotes on Black History month, we honour some of the greatest civil rights activists who worked to make the world. a better, safer and more equal place.