"The first need of a free people is to define their own terms"

This quote by Stokely Carmichael speaks to the significance of self-determination and autonomy for a totally free individuals. It suggests that in order to be truly free, an individuals must initially define their own terms. This suggests that they need to have the ability to specify their own worths, beliefs, and goals, and to create their own systems of governance and justice. It indicates that an individuals should be able to identify their own fate, rather than having it determined to them by outside forces. This quote also talks to the power of language and how it can be used to form and define an individuals's identity. By defining their own terms, an individuals can create a shared language and culture that joins them and provides a sense of belonging. Eventually, this quote stresses the importance of self-determination and autonomy for a free individuals, and the power of language to form and define a people's identity.