Bell Hooks Quotes

I hate the way they portray us in the media. If you see a black family it says they're looting, if you see a white family it says they're looking for food.

I didn't really understand racism because I grew up in an all-black society, so I didn't see how it was possible not to like me!

Have the colored people done anything to justify the prejudice against them that does exist in the hearts of so many white persons and, generally, of one great political party in this country? Have they done anything to justify it? No, sir.

It's no surprise that White people say things when they are together about Black people.

My mother and father taught me about black excellence and dynasty. They experienced racism personally, and when something like that happens to you and not around you, you develop a different perception than someone who has never experienced racism a day in their lives.

If I were white, I'd get less criticism.

My personal opinion is that you can't be racist towards white people. You can be prejudiced about them, but being prejudiced isn't an illegal act, whereas being racist can be.

Rock 'n' roll is much easier if you're white.

White people are potential humans - they haven't evolved yet.

The reason people think it's important to be white is that they think it's important not to be black.

All too many white Americans are horrified not with conditions of Negro life, but with the product of these conditions, the Negro himself.

There are people out there like Fox News who, every time a Black person complains in public of how we are treated in our society, is accused of “playing the race card.”

Barack Obama is an educated fool. He is viewed as the white man in blackface in the community.

There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.

Let's face it: there's still a certain amount of racism in human beings, so that shows up in Hollywood.

As a white fighter, you get twice as much criticism.

In the black community, Trump's history of racial discrimination is deeply embedded.

Remember, MTV would only show white videos for a long time. Can you imagine that? That was the '80s when that happened. It's hard to even think of that now, you know?

If Adam Sandler does a bad movie, he doesn't bring down the whole white race. But if Tyler Perry does, it's like, 'See what you guys do?' and that type of thing.

I think racism is something that is passed on and taught to our kids, and that's a shame.

It doesn't even feel like racism is real. It just feels like the weirdest ploy, like we're just being had on so many levels. It's even kind of funny when you think about it. A reason not to like someone is 'because you're black.' C'mon, man. How dumb is that?

I don't understand why black people feel this undying need to want to be down with white people all the time.

The reality is that anti-black racism is a global phenomenon, and it looks different in each context, but if you look at the outcomes, if you listen and look at the experiences, you will see that it's clear, and it's happening across the globe.

On TV, as in life, white folks are allowed to make mistakes, but usually, black people aren't.

While everyone has racial bias, I reserve the word 'racist' to describe the bias that white people have - our collective bias is backed by institutional power.