In South Africa, I feel I am a stranger, at best an animal.
Oliver TamboRead
I can see quite clearly that if there was a single event that launched me on the road to ultimate involvement at the heart of South African politics, it was an assault on an African woman by her white employer in a kitchen in Fort Hare.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the transformative power of witnessing injustice, which ignited a passion for political involvement.
Oliver Tambo's quote illustrates how a singular, shocking event—the assault on an African woman—served as a catalyst for his deep engagement in the anti-apartheid struggle. This moment not only highlighted the racial injustices of South Africa but also stirred Tambo's conscience, propelling him towards a lifelong commitment to fighting for equality and justice in his country.
Themes
InjusticePoliticsCourageActivismEquality
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for social justice, a speaker might quote Tambo to emphasize the impact of personal experiences on political activism.
More from Oliver Tambo
All quotes →The more pressure you bring from without, the less internal pressure is necessary.
Oliver TamboRead
The sanctions will not kill us. It's apartheid that's killing us.
Oliver TamboRead
How do you deal with a criminal that will not listen to what you have to say and who continues his policy of violence? Some say you continue to talk and let him tire himself out. But nearly 40 years after the institution of apartheid, is there anyone who still believes that verbal persuasion will work?
Oliver TamboRead
The U.S. is the last country that should see itself as an ally of the apartheid system.
Oliver TamboRead
It was of limited usefulness to head great rallies. The government did not listen, and, soon enough, the tear gas and the muzzles of the guns were turned against the people. The justice of our cries went unrecognized.
Oliver TamboRead
Similar quotes
Wept o'er his wounds, or tales of sorrow done, Shoulder'd his crutch, and shew'd how fields were won.
Oliver GoldsmithRead
Every tiny molecule of Ash is in motion with my heat I am such a Lunatic that I am free even in Jail.
Bhagat SinghRead
There are no brave men and cowardly men in the world, my son. There are only brave men. To be born, to live, to die—that takes courage enough in itself, and more than enough. We are all brave men and we are all afraid, and what the world calls a brave man, he too is brave and afraid like the all rest of us. Only he is brave for five minutes longer.
Alistair MacleanRead
Has he paid his dues? Is he black enough? John Lewis and I were out there marching and organizing sit-ins back in the '60s so that his children and my children would not have to do it. We would have been failures if had to do the same things we did.
Jim ClyburnRead
We live in a frightened time, and people self-censor all the time and are afraid of going into some subjects because they are worried about violent reactions.
Salman RushdieRead
I used to be told if I talked about my sexuality in any way that we wouldn't have a tennis tour.
Billie Jean KingRead