Slavery remains one of the darkest chapters in human history, marked by immense suffering, exploitation, and dehumanisation. While its legal form has been abolished in most parts of the world, the legacy of slavery still lingers through systemic racism, inequality, and modern-day human trafficking. Throughout history, many individuals, abolitionists, enslaved people, writers, and political leaders have spoken out about slavery in powerful and unforgettable ways. Their words continue to inspire reflection, resistance, and the pursuit of justice.
1. Frederick Douglass (1818–1895)
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground.”
Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave turned abolitionist and orator, dedicated his life to fighting for the end of slavery and for civil rights. His words speak to the importance of resistance and the difficult road to freedom.
2. Harriet Tubman (1822–1913)
“I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
As a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Tubman risked her life repeatedly to lead others to freedom. Her quote emphasizes the psychological chains that can bind individuals as tightly as physical ones.
3. Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally.”
The 16th President of the United States, Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. This quote sarcastically and powerfully challenges the hypocrisy of slavery’s defenders.
4. Sojourner Truth (1797–1883)
“I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is all-powerful and will prevail.”
Born into slavery, Truth became a renowned advocate for both abolition and women’s rights. Her unwavering belief in justice and truth remains an inspiration.
5. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
Though Jefferson himself was a slave owner, this quote reveals his awareness of the moral weight of slavery and the inevitable reckoning it would bring.
6. William Wilberforce (1759–1833)
“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
Wilberforce led the movement to abolish the slave trade in Britain. His quote is a timeless reminder of the responsibility to act once one becomes aware of injustice.
7. Booker T. Washington (1856–1915)
“You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him.”
Born into slavery and later becoming a leading African-American educator and leader, Washington’s words highlight the mutual degradation involved in oppression.
8. Barack Obama (b. 1961)
“Slavery was not a chapter in American history; it was the American story.”
As the first Black president of the United States, Obama underscored the centrality of slavery in the shaping of America, calling for an honest reckoning with the past.
9. Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)
“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”
Though speaking in the context of apartheid, Mandela’s words resonate strongly with the legacy of slavery and the enduring fight for equality.
10. Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910)
“The oppression of people is always based on contempt for the individual, and slavery is the most complete expression of such contempt.”
Tolstoy recognized slavery not just as an institution, but as a profound denial of individual dignity.
11. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968)
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
While not speaking about slavery directly, Dr. King’s philosophy is deeply rooted in the aftermath of slavery and the struggle for civil rights that followed.
12. John Wesley (1703–1791)
“Give liberty to whom liberty is due—that is, to every human creature.”
As a founder of Methodism, Wesley was an early opponent of slavery, arguing that freedom was a God-given right.
13. Olaudah Equiano (1745–1797)
“I hope the slave trade will be abolished. I pray it may be an event at hand.”
A former enslaved African who bought his freedom, Equiano became a prominent voice in the abolitionist movement through his autobiography.
14. Victor Hugo (1802–1885)
“Slavery still exists, but now it applies only to women and their labor.”
Hugo’s quote speaks not only to historical slavery but also to systemic gender inequality and exploitation, reminding us that slavery takes many forms.
15. Desmond Tutu (1931–2021)
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
Tutu’s words reinforce the moral responsibility to act against injustice, including the horrors of slavery.
16. Theodore Parker (1810–1860)
“I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one… but it bends toward justice.”
A 19th-century abolitionist, Parker’s words were later paraphrased by MLK and remain a beacon of hope for oppressed peoples everywhere.
17. David Walker (1796–1830)
“America is more our country than it is the whites’—we have enriched it with our blood and tears.”
Walker, a Black abolitionist, boldly challenged the system and demanded justice for the enslaved and their descendants.
18. James Baldwin (1924–1987)
“People are trapped in history, and history is trapped in them.”
Baldwin understood how slavery shaped not just institutions, but the consciousness of a nation.
19. Elie Wiesel (1928–2016)
“Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.”
A Holocaust survivor, Wiesel’s quote has universal application to all human rights abuses, including the silence that allowed slavery to persist.
20. Angela Davis (b. 1944)
“Slavery, lynching, and segregation are a part of our history, and part of the American experience.”
Davis links the historical realities of slavery to contemporary issues of racism, incarceration, and justice.
These quotes capture more than just words they echo centuries of pain, resilience, and resistance. They remind us of the importance of remembering the past, educating future generations, and continuing the fight against all forms of oppression. Slavery may no longer exist in its historical form, but modern manifestations of exploitation persist. The voices of the past call on us to stay vigilant and just.
