Jason Reynolds Quotes

I think sports is one of the places where race plays itself out publicly. Although we pretend it doesn't.

It's a sad commentary when I have to say that sometimes in our country we are real sensitive to race.

I think there is a big difference between expressing the pain and anger that many African Americans and other people of color may feel versus language that I think now crosses the line and goes into hate.

Most people don't think about race as much as I do. They don't have to.

I am astonished at the strong feeling of dislike and contempt—I might almost say hatred—which the bulk of the whites have for their black neighbours.

Because of unconquerable prejudice resulting from their color, [freed slaves] never could amalgamate with the free whites of this country.

The Reddest of the Blacks

… defiling the race line

What right do white racist, who believe their race is superior, have for complaining about black racists, who see something special in their own race? What right do black racists, who see a special character in their race, have for complaining about white racists?

I had no expectations of white people at all.

I have the utmost respect for Charles Barkley. He was a heck of a ballplayer... When it comes to basketball, please quote Charles Barkley. But when it comes to race in America? Please don't quote Charles Barkley.

The race problem in the United States is the type of unpleasant problem which we would rather do without but which refuses to be buried.

Race prejudice is not only a shadow over the colored it is a shadow over all of us, and the shadow is darkest over those who feel it least and allow its evil effects to go on.

Southern white people despise the Negro as a race, and will do nothing to aid in his elevation as such; but for certain individuals they have a strong affection, and are helpful to them in many ways.

The white man's blood and bones have begotten this bronze race, and bequeathed to it in some degree qualities, tendencies, capabilities, such as are the inheritance of the highest order of human animals.

I'm the whitest guy you will ever meet. The first time I saw an African-American, my dad had to tell me to stop staring.

Let me just say that to imagine racism does not exist is imagination. And to imagine that it does not create its own set of problems is true imagination. So let's not imagine that racism is gone, extinguished, because it's not. We are seeing this in the top levels of the political arena, and we are seeing it very, very plainly.

As black folks we're always sensitive. As a black person it's always racial.

To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time.

The Negro needs the white man to free him from his fears. The white man needs the Negro to free him from his guilt.

Race always comes up in the conversation of Detroit.

I'm one of those people who is colour blind to a certain degree. And that doesn't mean I'm not acutely aware of race in our country and abroad and in the world. I know what's going on, and I'm very aware of it.

This whole notion of a post racial America was nonsense from the very beginning. It was a bad idea, a bad notion, a bad formulation when it was first raised.

We must treat the disease of racism. This means we must understand the disease.

I grew up in Houston, and I remember we had separate drinking fountains, and black people sat in the balcony of the theater... We had an African-American housekeeper growing up who was really like my second mother. I thought it was silly - hatred just because of the color of somebody's skin.