--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Negroes are average, they fail…" description: "\"When Negroes are average, they fail, unless they are very, very lucky. Now, if you're average and white, honey, you can go far. Just look at Dan Quayle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/annie-elizabeth-delany-40935_average_when-negroes-are-average-they-fail-unles_874069.jpg" --- # When Negroes are average, they fail, unless they are very… ![“When Negroes are average, they fail, unless they are very, very lucky. Now, if you're average and white, honey, you can go far. Just look at Dan Quayle. If that boy was colored he'd be washing dishes somewhere.” quote by Annie Elizabeth Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/annie-elizabeth-delany-40935_average_when-negroes-are-average-they-fail-unles_874069.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/annie-elizabeth-delany-40935_average_when-negroes-are-average-they-fail-unles_874069.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13c/annie-elizabeth-delany-40935_average_when-negroes-are-average-they-fail-unles_874069.jpg) > “When Negroes are average, they fail, unless they are very, very lucky. Now, if you're average and white, honey, you can go far. Just look at Dan Quayle. If that boy was colored he'd be washing dishes somewhere.” [Annie Elizabeth Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-elizabeth-delany/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When Black people are average, they often fail unless exceptionally lucky; white people can succeed more easily. **In simple terms:** Racial disparity in success. Key Takeaway Recognize systemic bias, strive for equity. Themes race inequality luck Mood critical thoughtful Type social political When to use this quote - education - career advancement - policy reform Key Concepts systemic racism social mobility privilege Questions to Reflect On - How does luck affect success? - What can be done to level the playing field? A Different Perspective Individual effort alone cannot overcome structural barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Lucky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucky/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [“So unless you have been very, very lucky, you know that a good, long session of weeping can often make you feel better, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/so-unless-you-have-been-very-very-lucky-you-know-that-a-good-long/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [“As for writing, that's a cruel hard business. 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