You are on the eve of a complete victory. You can't go wrong. The world is behind you.
Josephine BakerRead
My people have a country of their own to go to if they choose... Africa... but, this America belongs to them just as much as it does to any of the white race... in some ways even more so, because they gave the sweat of their brow and their blood in slavery so that many parts of America could become prosperous and recognized in the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the rightful belonging and contributions of African Americans to America.
Josephine Baker emphasizes the deep-rooted connection that African Americans have with the United States, asserting that despite having a homeland in Africa, they are an integral part of America. She argues that their sacrifices in history, particularly through slavery, have significantly contributed to the prosperity and recognition of the nation, thus reinforcing their claim to belong just as much as any other race.
Themes
BelongingSacrificeIdentityRaceJustice
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for civil rights, this quote can highlight the importance of recognizing the contributions of African Americans.
More from Josephine Baker
All quotes →I ran away from St. Louis, and then I ran away from the United States, because of that terror of discrimination.
Josephine BakerRead
Friends, to me for years St. Louis represented a city of fear... humiliation... misery and terror... A city where in the eyes of the white man a Negro should know his place and had better stay in it.
Josephine BakerRead
I did take the blows [of life], but I took them with my chin up, in dignity, because I so profoundly love and respect humanity.
Josephine BakerRead
You must get an education. You must go to school, and you must learn to protect yourself. And you must learn to protect yourself with the pen, and not the gun.
Josephine BakerRead
I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more.
Josephine BakerRead
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