" Black Consciousness is in essence the realization by the Black man of the need to rally together with his brothers around the cause of their oppression - the blackness of their skin and to operate as a group in order to rid themselves of the shackles that bind them to perpetual servitude. It seeks to demonstrate the lie that black is an aberration from the normal which is white. It is a manifestation of a new realization that by seeking to run away from themselves and to emulate the white man, blacks are insulting the intelligence of whoever created them black. Black consciousness therefore takes cognizance of the deliberateness of God's plan in creating black people black. It seeks to infuse the black community with a new-found pride in themselves, their efforts, their value systems, their culture, their religion and their outlook to life" (Steve Biko)
EXCERPS FROM STEVE BIKOS ADDRESS AT A BLACK THEOLOGY SEMINAR IN PIETERMARITZBURG, 28 AUGUST 1971 ( SOURCE: SASO NEWSLETTER, SEPTEMBER 1971)