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A colored is a very frightened-to-death Afro-American. A Negro is one that makes it in the system, and he wants to be white. A nigger, he's loud and boisterous, wants to be seen. Nobody likes a nigger. A black man has pride. He wants to build, he wants to make his race mean something. Wants to have a culture and art forms. And he's not prejudiced. I am a black American man. Now you go ahead and print it.

James Brown#1

IdentityCultureHistoryRace

About this quote

What does it mean?
Defines racial terms to distinguish pride and cultural goals among Black Americans.
In plain terms
Different words show different attitudes about race.
What can you take from it?
Choose terms that reflect pride and goals.

Where it applies

  • social commentary
  • historical context
  • activism

Putting it to work

  • define your terms
  • advocate for pride

Questions to consider

  • What labels best represent your identity?

Another view

Labels often oversimplify complex experiences.

More from James Brown

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  3. This is an issue couples have to be straight on and agree on before they walk down that aisle; otherwise there is no way their marriage will survive.

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