"When you say that you are a race man, it means that you embrace the entire black community regardless of the hue, whether somebody is very light and could pass for possibly white or someone is very dark"
- Ed Smith
About this Quote
To call oneself a “race man,” as described by Ed Smith, signifies accepting a profound responsibility toward solidarity and advocacy within the entire Black community. This identification reaches beyond superficial traits, such as skin tone, affirming a unity that encompasses every shade, from the lightest to the darkest. It contests the problematic hierarchies historically imposed by colorism—where value has sometimes been assigned to individuals based on proximity to whiteness—and insists instead on collective affirmation and acceptance.
By referencing both those who might “pass” for white and those with very dark skin, Smith acknowledges the wide spectrum of Black identities and the complex realities they navigate. To embrace all hues is to reject narrow definitions of Blackness and to confront divisions that have, at times, fragmented communal bonds. The phrase encapsulates the idea that Black identity is not monolithic but inclusive, richly textured by myriad experiences, histories, and aesthetics. It demands a stance against internalized prejudices as much as external racism.
Describing oneself as a “race man” is an act of alignment and commitment; it signals willingness to stand up for, represent, and defend Black people as a whole, not just those who look or think like oneself. This posture challenges individuals to examine their own biases, expand their understanding of community, and work toward greater inclusivity and mutual support.
Smith’s words harken to a legacy in African-American intellectual and activist traditions, where being a “race man” or “race woman” meant public advocacy for civil rights and dignity, often in the face of danger or marginalization. Embracing this role remains relevant, reminding us that solidarity is strongest when it does not waver along internal fault lines, but rather, affirms the humanity of every member, regardless of skin tone or proximity to mainstream norms.
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"To separate children from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone"
"Creating the kind of connections between people that lead to collective civic action, political expression, community dialogue, shared cultural experiences"
"One friend in a lifetime is much, two are many, three are hardly possible. Friendship needs a certain parallelism of life, a community of thought, a rivalry of aim"
"Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life. It's important to the person who serves as well as the recipient. It's the way in which we ourselves grow and develop"
