The Nature of Influence and Passion
Sam Cooke:
But you still obey them, so when they tell you to come out here to recruit Cassius to become a member of some...
Malcolm X:
I didn't make Cassius do anything! He came to me for insight, he had questions. His passion for Islam come from a pure...
Cassius Clay:
Passion... is kind of a strong word.
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The Power of Voice and Identity
Malcolm X:
What kind of message are you sending, though, by doing one show for white folks and a completely different show for black folks, Sam?
Malcolm X:
No, listen to me, you're performing in places where the only black people not on stage are the ones serving the food.
Sam Cooke:
Don't you think I know that? I can't tell you how many times I wanted to reach out and punch somebody.
Malcolm X:
Then, then, then, then strike with the weapon that you have, man: your voice! Black people, we, we standing up! We, we speaking out!
Sam Cooke:
Umm hm.
Malcolm X:
Sam, you have possibly one of the most effective, beautiful outlets of us all. You're not using it to help the cause, brother.
Sam Cooke:
The hell I'm not! I got the masters to my songs. I started a label, I'm producing tons of black artists. Don't you think my determining my own creative and business destiny is every bit as inspiring to people as you standing up on a podium trying to piss em off?
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Irony in a Flavorful Conversation
Jim Brown: [regarding the ice cream in the motel room]
Well, what flavor is it?
Malcolm X: [pulls a second carton out of the freezer]
Well, we have vanilla, Jimmy... ...and vanilla.
Jim Brown:
Shit.
Sam Cooke:
How's that for irony?
Malcolm X:
Last time I checked, Brother Sam, vanilla was your flavor of choice.
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Reflections on Regret and Choices
Jim Brown:
Say man, do you have any regrets, you know, hitchin your cart to the Muslim train?
Jamaal:
Yeah, yes I think you could say I do.
Jim Brown:
Really.
Jamaal:
I regret that I didn't join when I was younger. This kid named Rollis used to chase me on the way home every damned day on the way. That's the reason I stopped goin'. I reckon if I'd've gotten with the bothers sooner, we could have nipped it in the bud and put our foot in Rollin's ass, know what I'm sayin'?
Jim Brown:
Yeah, but you don't need a religion for that. Kid, you could have just joined a gang.
Jamaal:
What's the difference?
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Celebration versus Responsibility in a Friendship
Sam Cooke: [starts singing]
It's time to take this party to the Fountainbleu, whoo! Havin a party...
Malcolm X:
You've obviously forgotten, brother Cassius no longer drinks.
Sam Cooke:
And you obviously haven't smelled his breath in the last hour.
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Confidence in Timing and Perception
Angelo Dundee: [between rounds in the ring]
Finish him off!
Cassius Clay:
I'll finish him off when I'm good and ready. I told you he was ugly, you should see him up close, MAN he's ugly!
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Confronting Immaturity in a Serious Moment
Jim Brown: [Cassius Clay is bouncing on the motel bed]
What are you, a giant fucking baby?
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Confronting Violence and Its Consequences
Jim Brown:
Y'all pulled out the knives. And if I get cut, I'm gonna hurt somebody.
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Reflections on a Unusual Evening
Jim Brown:
This has been one strange fucking night.
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Commentary on Priorities in Society
Sam Cooke:
The only color they care about in the Cali is the color green.
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Sam Cooke Reflects on a Powerful Song
Sam Cooke: [On [[Bob Dylan]
]'s "Blowin in the Wind"] I felt I should have written that song.
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Desiring the recipe, not just a piece.
Sam Cooke:
Everybody talks about they wantin a piece of the pie, well I don't. I want the goddamn recipe.
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