- Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne: [the Rodney King verdict is aired on a television in a department store. Four white cops are acquitted of beating an unarmed Black man. Several worried people are glued to the set. There is a feeling of outrage among the small throng] How could they acquit them? I mean, it was on tape. Hard evidence.
- Ianta: Evidence?
- Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne: Solid!
- Ianta: Girl, please. They can beat us, kill us, do whatever they wanna do - and get off - just like they always have.
- Ianta: [scoffs]
- Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne: We still have the Constitution to protect us.
- Ianta: When that piece of paper was written, African people in this country were slaves - ALL of us. We sisters were considered nothing but bed warmers!
- Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne: But we have our rights now. I mean, they-they're not gonna deny me. I'm an African American.
- Ianta: Dear Ms. Lambchop, stop worrying about integrating and being accepted, and start thinking about building - for yourself, for our people - so that we can provide a *future* for our children.
- [thunderous applause is heard on soundtrack]
- Lena James: [upon seeing Freddie's new look] Freddie, you're buying into the system. And you used to be about something!
- Freddie Brooks: I AM about something! I am about studying this system, understanding it so I can change it. I'm your secret weapon, little sister. So if and when you finally decide to walk some of this talk and march, then I will be the one making sure you don't get arrested, o militant one.