"I believe the Negro blood counts, and counts to my advantage - though it has caused me at times a life of great humiliation and sorrow"

Henry Ossawa Tanner's quote speaks with the power of his identity as a Black man in America. He acknowledges the battles and challenges that feature being an individual of color, however likewise recognizes the strength and resilience that features it. He thinks that his Blackness is a source of strength and pride, and that it has actually provided him an advantage in life. He takes pride in his heritage and acknowledges the importance of his identity. He also acknowledges the pain and suffering that comes with being a person of color, and the humiliation and sadness that he has experienced. His words are a tip of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the power of Blackness, and the strength and durability of the Black community. His words are a pointer of the value of standing up for what is right and fighting for justice and equality.