No nude, however abstract, should fail to arouse in the spectator some vestige of erotic feeling, even if it be only the faintest shadow - and if it does not do so it is bad art and false morals.
Kenneth ClarkRead
The recognized achievements of some Negroes, despite rigid racial barriers, indicate that society by its prejudices may be depriving itself of valuable contributions from many others. It is now doubtful whether America can afford the luxury of such a waste of human resources.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the loss to society when it overlooks the contributions of marginalized groups due to prejudice.
Kenneth Clark's quote emphasizes the detrimental impact of racial discrimination, suggesting that the achievements of a few individuals from marginalized communities showcase the potential that society at large is missing out on. It warns that such prejudice could lead to significant waste of human talent and resources, urging a reevaluation of societal attitudes toward race in America.
Themes
RacePrejudiceContributionsSocietyHuman Resources
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech promoting diversity and inclusion in workplaces.
More from Kenneth Clark
All quotes →Racial prejudices are indication of a disturbed and potentially unstable society.
Kenneth ClarkRead
Similar quotes
I want all of the work that I do to have a social justice footprint attached. I want it to move the needle forward when it comes to the perception of all people, but especially people of color.
Winston DukeRead
When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick.
Cesar ChavezRead
In college, when I was kind of confronted with facts and figures about inequality in America, a big impulse I had was to go hang out with homeless people around my university and hear them out and understand their situation from their perspective.
Matthew DesmondRead
If the market is left to sort matters out, social injustice will be heightened and suffering in the community will grow with the neglect the market fosters.
Helen ClarkRead
You have young men of color in many communities who are more likely to end up in jail or in the criminal justice system than they are in a good job or in college. And, you know, part of my job, that I can do, I think, without any potential conflicts, is to get at those root causes.
Barack ObamaRead
That's true but I think the contemporary problem that we are facing increasing numbers of black people and other people of color being thrown into a status that involves work in alternative economies and increasing numbers of people who are incarcerated.
Angela DavisRead