"The colored man is in the South to stay there. He will not leave it voluntarily and he cannot be driven out. He had no voice in being carried into the South, but he will have a very loud voice in any attempt to put him out"

This quote by Timothy Thomas Fortune speaks to the durability of African Americans in the South. He is asserting that African Americans are not going to leave the South willingly, which any attempt to drive them out will be met strong resistance. Fortune is highlighting that African Americans had no say in being given the South, but they will not be silenced in the face of any attempt to eliminate them. This quote talks to the strength and decision of African Americans to stay in the South regardless of the many difficulties they have dealt with. It is a tip that African Americans have a right to be in the South and will not be frightened into leaving. This quote is an effective statement of the African American battle for equality and justice in the South.