If the master's house caught on fire, the house Negro would fight harder to put the blaze out than the master would. If the master got sick, the house Negro would say, 'What's the matter, boss, we sick?' We sick! He identified himself with his master, more than his master identified with himself. And if you came to the house Negro and said, 'Let's run away, let's escape, let's separate,' the house Negro would look at you and say, 'Man, you crazy. What you mean, separate? Where is there a better house than this? Where can I wear better clothes than this? Where can I eat better food than this?' That was that house Negro. In those days he was called a 'house nigger.' And that's what we call them today, because we've still got some house niggers running around here.
More from Malcolm X
If you're afraid of black nationalism, you're afraid of revolution. And if you love revolution, you love black nationalism. To understand this, you have to go …
Permalink to quote #41 This modern house Negro loves his master. He wants to live near him. He'll pay three times as much as the house is worth just to live near his master, and then…
Permalink to quote #43 Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.
Permalink to quote #40