Unbowed (1999)

Chuma Gault: Richard

Quotes 

• Richard : Your hair. The other were willing.

  [to cut it off] 

  Waka Mani : That is why they are not Chief!

• President Duquesne : Diseases have killed many more Indians than bullets Mr. Parker. Whole tribes were wiped out by cholera, smallpox, pneumonia, tuberculosis. Why do you think that is Mr. Hancock?

  Isaac : Because they didn't have any resistance, sir?

  President Duquesne : Does that strike a familiar chord Mr. Singleterry?

  Richard : Yes, sir. Many of the early slaves died of the same diseases. The same reasons.

  President Duquesne : Yes, we had that in common.

• Richard : It's a man's behavior that earns respect.

• US Army officer : Noble words that mean nothing.

  Richard : Oh, I think they do. They set a standard for what is right.

  US Army officer : The words are useless because the white man does not live by them.

  Richard : Not yet, but one day they will because the words are there. They can never be erased.

  [debating the U.S. Constitution] 

• Richard : Waka Mani, you must promise me one thing. I will be all six of your wives.

  US Army officer : All six. Then I will have to love you forever.

  Richard : That's long enough.

• Richard : That is why an education is so important to us. It shows us that we are free!

  US Army officer : The story is different but the result is the same!

  Richard : Learning is a victory. It doesn't break out spirit. We know we are black, we're not trying to be like the white man.

  US Army officer : Did your ancestors dress for dinner? This room is a prison. I need to be out!

• Richard : Did you say it!

  US Army officer : I did not mean you.

  Richard : My skin is black. If I said Indians were savages and blanketheads, would you believe I didn't mean you?

  US Army officer : No. It was wrong. I am sorry. Everyday we become like those we hate!

• Richard : Momma was born a slave. Her father was sold before she was born. All freedom meant to her was hard work for low wages.

• Richard : I'm not an Indian. I don't know how to live as an Indian. Your ways are...

  US Army officer : We will make our own ways.

• Richard : We are Christian and free.

  US Army officer : Free to be white.

• Richard : There is no place for us here. We will make our ways.

• US Army officer : You should be angry at what the white people have done to your people.

  Richard : If I worried about every indignity the negro suffered during the course of a normal day, I'd wouldn't be able to think of much else.