By Kelvin Muhia

If you need inspiration to make it through hard times and tough conditions, just look at the influential leaders throughout African-American culture. Our history is a real source of inspiration and knowledge.

Some of our leaders depicted their historical struggle in words, which allowed the rest of the world to understand what went through. Below, we have shared some of their most insightful quotes.

“The impatient idealist says: ‘Give me a place to stand and I shall move the earth.’ But such a place does not exist. We all have to stand on the earth itself and go with her at her pace.” —Chinua Achebe

“I am an invisible man…I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquids—and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.” —Ralph Ellison

“In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.”
—Thurgood Marshall, first African American U.S. Supreme Court member

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” —Frederick Douglass

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

These famous personalities expressed the pain of their fellow African-Americans in true and powerful words. They encouraged the rest of their community members to fight for their rights and gave them a call to stand for themselves. They showed the world that the African-Americans also deserve equality, like everybody else does.

Reference links:

http://parade.com/260134/linzlowe/15-inspiring-quotes-for-black-history-month-freedom-is-never-given/

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/black-writer-quotes-_n_4718529