Afros Quote by Barack Obama
![“Does that mean that all vestiges of past discrimination would be eliminated, that the income gap or the wealth gap or the education gap [between Afro-Americans and white] would be erased in five years or 10 years? Probably not, and so this is obviously a discussion we've had before when you talk…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f2f/barack-obama-17_afros_does-that-mean-that-all-vestiges-of-past_2526100.jpg)
“Does that mean that all vestiges of past discrimination would be eliminated, that the income gap or the wealth gap or the education gap [between Afro-Americans and white] would be erased in five years or 10 years? Probably not, and so this is obviously a discussion we've had before when you talk about something like reparations.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Race and Reparations, United States, 2015
The quote questions whether systemic gaps can be fully closed quickly, acknowledging complexity and limits of policy solutions.
In simple terms: Closing gaps quickly is unrealistic.
Key Takeaway
Recognize gradual progress needed.
Themes
inequality
policy
history
justice
systemic
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- public policy debates
- legislative proposals
- community activism
Key Concepts
social economics
structural change
racial equity
Questions to Reflect On
- What realistic timelines can we set for closing gaps?
- How can we balance immediate relief with long‑term change?
A Different Perspective
Progress may be slower than promised.
![“That is another theme in the book [Dreams from My Father]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we get the black to see through the eyes of the white? Or the citizen to see through the eyes of the immigrant? Or the straight to see through the eyes of the gay? That has…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00d/barack-obama-17_black_that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams_10185.jpg)
![“Adam Clayton Powell's entire political career has to be looked at in the entire context of the American history and the history of, and the position of the Afro- American or negro in American history. [He] has done a remarkable job in fighting for rights of black people in this country. On the…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/caa/malcolm-x-213_adam_adam-clayton-powell-s-entire-political-c_6932.jpg)
