It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. And as they cross each other from a million different centers of energy, they dare those ripples to build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

-South African delegate to UN (1966)