Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.
Commentary
Commentary
Justice is not usually granted by inertia. Change tends to require clear, disciplined insistence.
The line is hard-edged because Douglass is observing power as it behaves, not as people wish it behaved. Demand here means organized courage joined to sustained effort.
Its continuing relevance is uncomfortable and therefore useful. Waiting passively is often mistaken for patience when it is actually surrender.
Commentary
Commentary