WIST

Even today, we are still accused of racism. This is a mistake. We know that all interracial groups in South Africa are relationships in which whites are superior, blacks inferior. So as a prelude whites must be made to realize that they are only human, not superior. Same with blacks. They must be made to realize that they are also human, not inferior.

Stephen Biko (1946-1977) South African civil rights activist
In the Boston Globe (25 Oct 1977)

We regard our living together not as an unfortunate mishap warranting endless competition among us, but as a deliberate act of God to make us a community of brothers and sisters jointly involved in the quest for a composite answer to the varied problems of life.

Stephen Biko (1946-1977) South African civil rights activist
Paper at conference in Natal, S. Africa (1971)

The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.

Stephen Biko (1946-1977) South African civil rights activist
Speech, Cape Town Conference on Inter-Racial Studies (1971)
Reprinted in I Write What I like, "White Racism and Black Consciousness" (1978)