The faces and the tactics of the leaders may change every four years, or two, or one, but the people go on forever. The people- beaten down today, yet rising tomorrow; losing the road one minute but finding it the next; their eyes always fixed on a star of true brotherhood, equality and dignity- the people are the real guardians of our hopes and dreams.

Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974 (ed. Brunner-Routledge, 1978)