WIST Quotations

Malcolm X -- Autobiography of Malcolm X, ch. 1 (1964) [with Alex Haley]

Dave — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:38:38 +0000

Hence I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up under the weight.

Malcolm X (1925–1965) American revolutionary, religious leader [b. Malcolm Little]
Autobiography of Malcolm X, ch. 1 (1964) [with Alex Haley]

Roosevelt, Theodore -- Message (1908-01-31) to Congress, on Workers Compensation

Dave — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 23:06:40 +0000

[…] [P]redatory wealth — of the wealth accumulated on a giant scale by all forms of iniquity, ranging from the oppression of wageworkers to unfair and unwholesome methods of crushing out competition, and to defrauding the public by stock jobbing and the manipulation of securities.
Certain wealthy men of this stamp, whose conduct should be abhorrent to every man of ordinarily decent conscience, and who commit the hideous wrong of teaching our young men that phenomenal business success must ordinarily be based on dishonesty, have during the last few months made it apparent that they have banded together to work for a reaction. Their endeavor is to overthrow and discredit all who honestly administer the law, to prevent any additional legislation which would check and restrain them, and to secure if possible a freedom from all restraint which will permit every unscrupulous wrongdoer to do what he wishes unchecked provided he has enough money.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American politician, statesman, conservationist, writer; US President (1901–09)
Message (1908-01-31) to Congress, on Workers Compensation

Banksy -- Wall and Piece, “Rats” (2005)

Dave — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:46:07 +0000

The human race is an unfair and stupid competition. A lot of the runners don’t even get decent sneakers or clean drinking water.
Some runners are born with a massive head start, every possible help along the way and still the referees seem to be on their side.
It’s not surprising a lot of people have given up competing altogether and gone to sit in the grandstand, eat junk food and shout abuse.
What we need in this race is a lot more streakers.

Banksy (b. 1974?) England-based pseudonymous street artist, political activist, film director
Wall and Piece, “Rats” (2005)

Cox, Marcelene -- “Ask Any Woman” column, Ladies’ Home Journal (1948-01)

Dave — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:36:36 +0000

To give a little girl a doll that is not to be used any more than the old-fashioned parlor was used is to violate every principle of fair dealing in childhood.

Marcelene Cox (1900–1998) American writer, columnist, aphorist
“Ask Any Woman” column, Ladies’ Home Journal (1948-01)

Lewis, John -- Speech, House of Representatives (18 Dec 2019)

Dave — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:42:57 +0000

When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something. Our children and their children will ask us, “What did you do? What did you say?” For some, this vote may be hard. But we have a mission and a mandate to be on the right side of history.

John Lewis (1940–2020) American politician and civil rights leader
Speech, House of Representatives (18 Dec 2019)

During the House vote to impeach Donald Trump.

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1986-04-14)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

CALVIN: It’s not fair!

CALVIN’S DAD: The world isn’t fair, Calvin.

CALVIN: I know, but why isn’t it ever unfair in my favor?

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1986-04-14)