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“To those who have said, “Be patient and wait,” we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now!”

Source: Speech at the March on Washington, 28 August 1963 (delivered text)

Context Aged 23 and chairman of SNCC, he spoke after softening his draft at organizers' request; the original called patience 'a dirty and nasty word'.

Portrait of John Lewis
John LewisUnited States · 1940–2020
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