Quotes by A. Philip Randolph

“A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess.”

“We must develop huge demonstrations, because the world is used to big dramatic affairs. They think in terms of hundreds of thousands and millions and billions . . . Billions of dollars are appropriated at the twinkling of an eye. Nothing little counts.”

“Justice is never given; it is exacted and the struggle must be continuous for freedom is never a final fact, but a continuing evolving process to higher and higher levels of human, social, economic, political and religious relationship.”

“Salvation for a race, nation or class must come from within.”

“Today, Rustin is overshadowed by memories of Dr. King and his [I Have a Dream] speech.”

“In every truth, the beneficiaries of a system cannot be expected to destroy it.”

“I have waited twenty-two years for this . . . Ive waited all my life for this opportunity.”

“Nothing counts but pressure, pressure, more pressure, and still more pressure through broad organized aggressive mass action.”

At the banquet table of nature, there are no reserved seats. You get what you can take, and you keep what you can hold. If you cant take anything, you wont get anything, and if you cant hold anything, you wont keep anything. And you cant take anything without organization.

Negroes must be free in order to be equal, and they must be equal in order to be free... Men cannot win freedom unless they win equality. They cannot win equality unless they win freedom.

In every truth, the beneficiaries of a system cannot be expected to destroy it.

Patriotism has no appeal to us justice has. Party has no weight with us principle has. Loyalty is meaningless it depends on what one is loyal to.

Justice is never given; it is exacted and the struggle must be continuous for freedom is never a final fact, but a continuing evolving process to higher and higher levels of human, social, economic, political and religious relationship.

Freedom is never granted it is won.

Freedom is never given it is won.