Rafael Edward Cruz Blues [View all]
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter; Thursday, June 26, 1978; 9:45 a.m.
",,,,So the idea that a man's knowledge and understanding depends upon the whole of him -- that is to say, depended upon his level of being -- runs smack-in-the-face and contrary to all Western thinking. But quietly as it is kept, this is precisely why we find ourselves in this predicament at this present point in time: Why is it that we are totally unfit to exercise any kind of wholesome control over the immense forces that man has won from Nature; and why is it that, now having obtained this awesome information, which is far in advance of out present level of being, why it is that this knowledge is now endangering our whole future! And why? Because here, in this Western world, and particularly in America, it has always been accepted that a man may possess immense knowledge but without ever having seriously considered his level of being. In America it is acceptable that a man may be a Supreme Court Justice, a Doctor, a National and International Politician, or an abled Scientist -- and at the same time it is considered legitimate and even fashionable, in this country, that they have the right to be a racist, or a petty, egoistic, caviling, mean, envious, vain and malicious snake! The people of America have placed great value on the level of a man's knowledge; but has no shame on their own low level of being!"