"The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important not to be black"
- James Baldwin
About this Quote
This quote by James Baldwin talks to the systemic racism that has been embedded in our society for centuries. It recommends that individuals think it is essential to be white since they think that being white is superior to being black. This is an outcome of the long history of injustice and discrimination that black individuals have actually dealt with in the United States. This quote also speaks with the concept of white opportunity, which is the idea that white individuals have particular benefits and chances that are not available to people of color. This quote is a reminder that racism is still a major issue in our society and that we must continue to work towards developing a more fair and just society.