I pray with my whole soul that the divide-and-conquerers among us will not triumph over us. We need each other in this world so desperately.
Ruby DeeRead
We don't realize how much racism has tainted our self-image as human beings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Racism has a profound impact on how we see ourselves and each other as humans.
This quote by Ruby Dee highlights the insidious nature of racism and its consequences on personal and collective identity. It suggests that racism not only affects interpersonal relationships but also distorts our self-image, making it essential to acknowledge and confront these biases to foster a healthier perception of ourselves and others.
Themes
RacismSelf-ImageIdentityHumanityConsciousness
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing the impacts of discrimination, one might reference this quote to illustrate the hidden effects of racism on individuals.
More from Ruby Dee
All quotes βYou should always be prepared to win. But as much as I tell myself that, I've accepted another kind of role. Racism undercuts expectation, something like that. I'm not saying that to excuse myself from anything, but I've lived all this time, and things don't happen.
Ruby DeeRead
We both grew up in the atmosphere of struggle, both Ossie and me, ... I come out of Harlem and Harlem comes out of me - wailing police sirens and street parties, rumors and landlords, that cultural, spiritual scene. And Ossie came up from the South, where struggle and dying were part of everyday life. That is who we are.
Ruby DeeRead
I respect the fact that a director has studied the text and the road map of work before us, the subtleties, interconnections, underpinnings... His job is to paint the entire picture and knows all the colors that have to be in it.
Ruby DeeRead
See, I donβt expect to win a prize for stoic control and dignity at mourning time. Death deserve tantrums. Beating back shocked indignation, kicks in the groin, stones, classified unacceptable, not to be tolerated, not to be wooed, not to be conspired with. Only then can music, dance, movies, plays, rap be about life. Only then can life be cherished and adored.
Ruby DeeRead
I never thought about myself as an activist when we were coming along. I love the people I love. I didn't care whether they could be a Democrat, Republican, communist... anything but a racist.
Ruby DeeRead
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