It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realize that the only vehicle for change are these people who have lost their personality.

This powerful quote by Steven Biko speaks to the urgent need for truth and the role of oppressed individuals in driving social change. By saying, “It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is,” Biko insists on confronting reality—no matter how painful or unjust—rather than accepting distorted narratives imposed by systems of oppression. Truth, in this context, is not abstract; it is the recognition of lived experiences under racism, colonialism, and dehumanization.

When Biko refers to “these people who have lost their personality,” he is describing the psychological and cultural damage inflicted on the Black South African population under apartheid. Years of systemic inequality, exclusion, and indoctrination had stripped many individuals of their sense of identity, worth, and agency. Yet paradoxically, Biko saw these same people as the only true vehicle for change—because once they reclaimed their dignity and self-awareness, they would become a powerful force capable of dismantling the oppressive system.

This quote finds its origin in Biko’s writings and activism within the Black Consciousness Movement, which he helped found in the 1970s in South Africa. The movement emphasized psychological liberation and self-empowerment as prerequisites for political freedom. Biko believed that only when Black people saw themselves as fully human—with culture, history, and value—could they resist and overturn the apartheid regime.

Ultimately, Biko’s message is a call for awakening. He urges people not only to face the truth of their circumstances but to recognize their potential to enact change. Those most dehumanized by oppression, once reawakened, become its greatest challengers. His quote remains a profound reminder of the link between identity, truth, and liberation.