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No white American ever thinks that any other race is wholly civilized until he wears the white man’s clothes, eats the white man’s food, speaks the white man’s language, and professes the white man’s religion.
Booker T. Washington
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Cultural assimilation is often a prerequisite for acceptance in society.

This quote by Booker T. Washington highlights the deep-rooted biases in society that require individuals from other races to adopt the customs, behaviors, and beliefs of the dominant white culture to be seen as civilized or acceptable. It points to the systemic nature of racism and the cultural barriers that minorities face in gaining societal acceptance.

Themes

RaceAssimilationCultureAcceptanceCivilization

In practice

Example use cases

In a diversity training session to discuss the impact of cultural expectations.

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