The United States has made notable progress toward racial equality since Carter G. Woodson, a Black scholar and historian, first launched Black History Month (which began as Negro History Week) in 1926. Still, though much has changed, much has also stayed the same. Black History Month is an opportune time to hold the joy of progress and the desire for improvement side by side. Kids and families can learn more about both by listening to the wisdom of influential Black Americans who’ve witnessed the shifts through generations.
Black History Month quotes
Black public figures, from politicians and scientists to writers, actors and other artists, have offered many words of wisdom throughout the journey toward equality. Through their powerful words, new generations can learn about the many contributions and experiences of Black Americans. Here are 19 Black History Month quotes about identity, injustice and being yourself that can help prepare us to celebrate and carry the insights of Black History Month with us year-round.
1. John Ridley on teaching authentic diversity
“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
Author John Ridley reminds us that an authentic understanding of diversity and desire for change often starts with making an authentic connection.
2. Mary McLeod Bethune on calling out discrimination
“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
Speaking out against mistreatment is one way for people to maintain their power in the face of injustice.
3. Audre Lorde on celebrating our differences
“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.”
― Audre Lorde
Celebrating what makes us individuals can help us understand the differences in others and recognize the great expanse of humanity.
4. Tracee Ellis Ross shares why representation matters
“I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin and the feelings that I have are all worthy and OK.”
― Tracee Ellis Ross
Every person deserves to feel seen, celebrated and represented for who they are.
5. Maya Angelou on daring to proudly stand out
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.”
― Maya Angelou
Each of us is unique, and we should rejoice in what makes us individuals. “Normal” is overrated. Authentic is evergreen.
6. Cicely Tyson on owning your greatness
“The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat.”
― Cicely Tyson
Actress Cicely Tyson reminds us that there will always be naysayers, but you don’t have to buy what they’re selling.
7. James Baldwin on bravely confronting our history
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
― James A. Baldwin
When it comes to progress, writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin says there is power in addressing our struggles head-on.
8. Zora Neale Hurston on self-love as an act of resistance
“Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It’s beyond me.”
― Zora Neale Hurston
When you feel settled in yourself, it’s hard to be rattled. Author Zora Neale Hurston’s words are a call to be proud of who you are.
9. Rosa Parks says small moments can have powerful outcomes
“I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up.”
― Rosa Parks
We live each day with unlimited potential to change the world by being ourselves. Lean into it.
10. Ella Fitzgerald on believing in the power of tomorrow
“It isn’t where you came from, it’s where you’re going that counts.”
― Ella Fitzgerald
Each of us has the power to make a difference. All it takes is effort.
11. Neil deGrasse Tyson on truth and justice
“I dream of a world where the truth is what shapes people’s politics, rather than politics shaping what people think is true.”
― Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist and writer Neil deGrasse Tyson says don’t pick sides; pick the truth.
12. Ruby Bridges on ending prejudice for future generations
“Racism is a grown-up disease, and we must stop using our children to spread it.”
― Ruby Bridges
Too often, adults use children as an excuse for prejudice or to carry on a legacy of inequality. It hasn’t stopped yet, but activist Ruby Bridges calls on us to do better.
13. Lucille Clifton on the power of self-definition
“What they call you is one thing. What you answer to is something else.”
― Lucille Clifton
It’s easy to be misunderstood by others, but you don’t have to misunderstand yourself alongside them.
14. Mae Jemison on dreaming of a better future
“Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”
― Mae Jemison
Astronaut and engineer Mae Jemison reminds us that there are no limits. Dream bigger and more boldly than ever before.
15. Muhammad Ali on taking up space
“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
America is a quilt of many cultures. Don’t ever be afraid to take up space and embrace your part of it.
16. Franklin A. Thomas on the needlessness of racism
“One day, our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.”
― Franklin A. Thomas
Our children won’t struggle with differences like other generations have if we model a better world.
17. Audre Lorde on speaking truth to power
“I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.”
― Audre Lorde
Being vulnerable enough to speak up about what matters to you is hard, but it’s always worth it.
18. Chadwick Boseman on the power of community
“In times of crisis, the wise build bridges; the foolish build barriers.”
― Chadwick Boseman
We can make it through hard times together or not at all.
19. Denzel Washington on the diversity of the Black experience
“I’m very proud to be Black, but Black is not all I am. That’s my cultural historical background and my genetic makeup, but it’s not all of who I am, nor is it the basis from which I answer every question.”
― Denzel Washington
There is no singular Black experience or identity. Blackness contains multitudes, not monoliths.
