This is a country that was founded on racism. It was built on racism. It still continues to thrive through wealth disparity, and housing disparity is all built on the backs of racism.
W. Kamau BellRead
In communities of color, such as Ferguson, it often feels like the police are protecting the white community from us instead of protecting our communities from the criminal element.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the tension between law enforcement and communities of color, suggesting a lack of protection and trust.
W. Kamau Bell's quote addresses the complex relationship between police and communities of color, particularly in areas like Ferguson. It underscores a prevalent sentiment that law enforcement prioritizes the safety of white communities over genuinely protecting marginalized populations, thereby fostering mistrust and a sense of abandonment among those communities. This observation points to systemic issues within policing and raises important questions about equity and justice.
Themes
PoliceCommunityJusticeRaceTrust
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about racial justice during a community meeting.
More from W. Kamau Bell
All quotes →We really suffer from a hot-take disease, wanting to be the first one who has the hottest take.
W. Kamau BellRead
People born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens - except for the teeny, tiny, mind-boggling fact that if you live in Puerto Rico, you are not allowed to cast a vote in the election for president. That tiny fact starts to get bigger when you realize that electing our own leaders is the whole reason that we have a country in the first place.
W. Kamau BellRead
I've turned the annoying questions that white people ask into a career, so I understand that's where I live.
W. Kamau BellRead
We can't throw the worst part of racism into the dustbin of history.
W. Kamau BellRead
When we let cops talk about themselves as a separate community, then we are letting cops wall themselves off from the rest of us. We don't generally do that with any other jobs. We don't talk about the barista community or the Wal-Mart greeter community.
W. Kamau BellRead
Similar quotes
So time doesn't count, and place does?' I said this to tease her. When I was a man, I liked teasing her and she went along with it, consenting, for it reminded us both of a sadness that had passed.
John BergerRead
Forgiveness is the grace by which you enable the other person to get up and get up with dignity, to begin anew.
Desmond TutuRead
Let's create an integrated global community where we have shared benefits and responsibilities, and we don't fight because of our differences.
William J. ClintonRead
It's all love or sex these days. Friendship is almost as quaint and outdated a notion as chastity. Soon friends will be like the elves and the pixies - fabulous mythical creatures from a distant past.
C. S. LewisRead
Well, I've been waiting, I was sure we'd meet between the trains we're waiting for I think it's time to board another Please understand, I never had a secret chart to get me to the heart of this or any other matter
Leonard CohenRead
The optimist in me wants to believe sexuality will eventually become like handwriting: there’s no right way and wrong way to do it. We’re all just wired differently. It's also worth noting that when you meet someone, you never bother to ask if he’s right or left-handed. After all: does it really matter to anyone other than the person holding the pen?
Jodi PicoultRead