James Farmer, Sr.: What do we do here? James Farmer, Jr.: We do what we have to do so we can do what we want to do. James Farmer, Sr.: And what do you have to do right now? James Farmer, Jr.: My homework. James Farmer, Sr.: So get to it.
Henry Lowe (Nate Parker): I'm Henry Lowe, with an E. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Alright Mr. Lowe. I will name a subject, you speak a few words; a pertinent quote from world literature. Henry Lowe (Nate Parker): Go ahead. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Beauty. Henry Lowe (Nate Parker): I heard the old oldman say all that is beautiful drifts away. Like the waters. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Very good...History. And name the author this time. Henry Lowe (Nate Parker): History is a nightmare form which I am trying to awake. James Joyce. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Self-pity. Henry Lowe (Nate Parker): I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. D.H. Lawrence.
Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett): Without welfare Mr. Tolson, people would be starving. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Who is starving Ms. Booke? Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett): The unemployed are starving. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Mr. Burgess here. He's unemployed. Obviously he's not starving. I drew you in Ms. Booke. You gave a faulty premise so your syllogism fell apart. Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett): Syllogism? Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington): Your logic fell apart. Major premise: the unemployed are starving, minor premise Mr. Burgess is unemployed. Conclusion...Mr. Burgess is starving. Your major premise was based on a faulty assumption. Classic fallacy.
James Farmer, Sr.: What do we do here?
James Farmer, Jr.: We do what we have to do so we can do what we want to do.
James Farmer, Sr.: And what do you have to do right now?
James Farmer, Jr.: My homework.
James Farmer, Sr.: So get to it.