Abraham Lincoln

“Although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the man who wishes to take the good of it, by being a slave himself.” –Abraham Lincoln

“For every man who lives without freedom, the rest of us must face the guilt.” -Lillian Hellman

“As long as the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free. Psychological freedom, a firm sense of self-esteem, is the most powerful weapon against the long night of physical slavery.” -Martin Luther King

“Slavery can only be abolished by raising the character of the people who compose the nation; and that can be done only by showing them a higher one.”  -Maria Weston Chapman

Maria Weston Chapman

“Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for.” –Tennessee Williams

“So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did the Trade’s wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for Abolition. Let the consequences be what they would, I from this time determined that I would never rest until I had effected its abolition.” – William Wilberforce

“For some slaves, the first step out of bondage is to learn to see their lives with new eyes. Their reality is a social world where they have their place and some assurance of a subsistence diet. Born into slavery, they cannot easily redefine their lives outside the frame of enslavement.”  -Kevin Bales

Kevin Bales

Slavery and freedom have indeed been common themes throughout history, and we must not become weary in doing good.  Some of these people have given their lives to right wrongs and declare truth.  We have the opportunity to stand on their shoulders and take this mission even further!

Do any of these quotes resonate with you?  Why?

Happy Friday!

Michelle Brock

**Still accepting photos this weekend for my photo essay, details here.