When we say 'Black Lives Matter,' we're not saying that any other life doesn't matter. That has never, ever been our message. Our message has always been from a place of love.
Opal TometiRead
To fully understand the black immigrant experience in the U.S., we must understand it not in contrast to the African-American experience, but central to it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding the black immigrant experience requires recognizing its interconnectedness with the African-American experience.
Opal Tometi's quote highlights the importance of viewing the black immigrant experience as an integral part of the broader African-American narrative. Rather than contrasting these experiences, it calls for an appreciation of how they are interwoven and impact one another, suggesting that a comprehensive understanding of race and identity in the U.S. cannot be achieved without this acknowledgment.
Themes
Black ImmigrantAfrican-AmericanExperienceUnderstandingIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a panel discussion about racial identity and immigrant experiences.
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I have two younger brothers, and I know my parents have spoken to them about driving and interacting with police. They didn't have those conversations with me, but they did have conversations about being exceptional black people.
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