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By the way, right at that time Birmingham had exploded, and the Negroes in Birmingham—remember, they also exploded. They began to stab the crackers in the back and bust them up 'side their head—yes, they did. That's when Kennedy sent in the troops, down in Birmingham. So, and right after that, Kennedy got on the television and said "this is a moral issue."

— Malcolm X Message to the Grass Roots (1963)

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More quotes by Malcolm X

You can't separate peace from freedom, because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.

Malcolm X Speaks (1965)

People don't realize how a man's whole life can be changed by one book.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965)

If you aren't careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.

Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.

Malcolm X Speaks (1965)

Concerning non-violence: it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.

Malcolm X Speaks (1965)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Malcolm X (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.