I didn't have any close relationship with him because…
![“I didn't have any close relationship with him because, although [William Edward Burghardt] DuBois may not have been as egocentric - I don't know - he certainly was not the easiest person to approach. I think, certainly, those of us who were younger sort of respected that in terms of his…” quote by Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/926/ella-baker-10989_approach_i-didn-t-have-any-close-relationship-wit_697287.jpg)
“I didn't have any close relationship with him because, although [William Edward Burghardt] DuBois may not have been as egocentric - I don't know - he certainly was not the easiest person to approach. I think, certainly, those of us who were younger sort of respected that in terms of his preoccupation with deep thoughts. So, I made no effort to establish any relationship with him. However, he was in and out then.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ella Baker felt DuBois was intellectually intense and socially distant, so she kept her distance.
In simple terms: She avoided a relationship due to his perceived aloofness.
Key Takeaway
Respect intellectual boundaries.
Themes
respect
intellectualism
social distance
Mood
reflective
reserved
Type
historical
personal
When to use this quote
- academic collaboration
- activist networking
- mentor relationships
Key Concepts
psychology
interpersonal dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance respect with engagement?
- When is distance appropriate?
A Different Perspective
His aloofness may have limited potential collaboration.