When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw.
— Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (1994).
If the oppressor uses violence, the oppressed have no alternative but to respond violently. In our case it was simply a legitimate form of self-defense.
— Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (1994).
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.
— Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech (1986)
This reminds me of the JFK quote “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”
It doesn’t seem like a middle ground is possible because those at the top make justice impossible.
Also, other relevant quotes:
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”