20 Medgar Evers Quotes Celebrating the Fight for Civil Rights

These Medgar Evers quotes will help you find the courage to stand up for what you believe in.

Medgar Wiley Evers was an African American civil rights activist and a World War II veteran.

He served as the first state field secretary of the NAACP in Mississippi, where he worked for changes in the segregated society.

Born on July 2, 1925, in Decatur, Mississippi, Evers was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and fought in both France and Germany during World War II.

He went on to enroll at Alcorn State University in 1948, where he majored in business administration.

Evers became active in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s.

He fought racial injustices in many forms, including working to end the segregation of public facilities and helping expand opportunities for African Americans.

On June 12, 1963, Evers was assassinated outside of his Mississippi home.

He will always be remembered as one of the most impassioned activists and visionaries for equality.

In honor of the slain activist, below is our collection of inspirational and powerful Medgar Evers quotes.

You may also enjoy our collection of Frederick Douglass quotes.

Check out our most popular quote article, a list of short inspirational quotes for daily inspiration.

If you enjoy this collection, check out our inspirational quotes category page.

Medgar Evers quotes celebrating the fight for civil rights

1. “As long as God gives me strength to work and try to make things real for my children, I’m going to work for it – even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice.” – Medgar Evers

2. “When you hate, the only person that suffers is you because most of the people you hate don’t know it and the rest don’t care.” – Medgar Evers

3. “The gifts of God should be enjoyed by all citizens in Mississippi.” – Medgar Evers

4. “In the racial picture things will never be as they once were. History has reached a turning point, here and over the world.” – Medgar Evers

5. “You can kill a man but you can’t kill an idea.” – Medgar Evers

Also check out these powerful civil rights quotes and sayings striding towards equality.

6. “Freedom has never been free.” – Medgar Evers

7. “I was born in Decatur, was raised there, but I never in my life was permitted to vote there.” – Medgar Evers

8. “I love my children and I love my wife with all my heart. And I would die, die gladly, if that would make a better life for them.” – Medgar Evers

9. “I’m looking to be shot any time I step out of my car… If I die, it will be in a good cause. I’ve been fighting for America just as much as the soldiers in Vietnam.” – Medgar Evers

10. “If you hurt someone then you are hurting other people, and you will feel guilty about what you did.” – Medgar Evers

Powerful and inspirational Medgar Evers quotes

11. “Our only hope is to control the vote.” – Medgar Evers

12. “The Negro has been here in America since 1619, a total of 344 years. He is not going anywhere else; this is country his home. He wants to do his part to help make his city, state, and nation a better place for better place for everyone, regardless of color and race.” – Medgar Evers

13. “If we don’t like what the Republicans do, we need to get in there and change it.” – Medgar Evers

14. “When a black Jacksonian looks about his home community, he sees a city of over 150,000, of which 40% is Negro, in which there is not a single Negro policeman or policewoman, school crossing guard, or fireman.” –Medgar Evers

15. “I may be going to Heaven or Hell, but I’ll be going from Jackson.” – Medgar Evers

16. “First it was the whites, and then their Negro message bearers. And the word was always the same: ‘Tell your sons to take their names off the books. Don’t show up at the courthouse voting day.'” – Medgar Evers

17. “I plan to live on campus in a dormitory and to do all the things any other student of the law school might do: use the library, eat in the dining hall, attend classes.” – Medgar Evers

18. “You discover that the education the Negro gets is designed to keep him subservient. The poor black man is exploited by whites and by educated Negroes, too.” – Medgar Evers

19. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to let the white man lick me. There’s something out here that I’ve got to do for my kids, and I’m not going to stop until I’ve done it.” – Medgar Evers

20. “Let me appeal to the consciences of many silent, responsible citizens of the white community who know that a victory for democracy in Jackson will be a victory for democracy everywhere.” – Medgar Evers

Which of these Medgar Evers quotes was your favorite?

Evers was one of Mississippi’s most prominent civil rights activists.

He fought for economic opportunity, voting rights, access to public facilities, and other changes in the segregated society.

Despite knowing that his civil rights work could get him killed, Medgar Evers had the courage to keep fighting so that others might live in freedom.

Hopefully, the above quotes will inspire you to stand for what you believe in; regardless of circumstance.

Did you enjoy these Medgar Evers quotes?

Which of the quotes was your favorite?

Let us know in the comment section below.