--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: White women and black men have it both…" description: "\"White women and black men have it both ways. They can act as oppressor or ... and oppression of others.\" — Bell Hooks" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg" --- # White women and black men have it both ways. They can act… ![“White women and black men have it both ways. They can act as oppressor or ... and oppression of others.” quote by Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg) > “White women and black men have it both ways. They can act as oppressor or ... and oppression of others.” [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. White women and black men can occupy both oppressor and oppressed positions, highlighting complex power dynamics. **In simple terms:** Power can shift between groups. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge intersecting oppressions. Themes intersectionality power race gender oppression Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - activism - education - policy making - personal reflection Key Concepts social hierarchy identity politics Questions to Reflect On - How do you see these roles play out in your community? - What actions can shift oppressive patterns? A Different Perspective Power dynamics are context‑dependent and can change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [Oppressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppressors/) [White women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-women/) ## Related quotes > [To forgive an oppressor is oppression upon the oppressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umar/to-forgive-an-oppressor-is-oppression-upon-the-oppressed/) [Umar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umar/) > [No other group in America has so had their identity socialized out of existence as have black women... When black people are talked about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/no-other-group-in-america-has-so-had-their-identity-socialized-out-of/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“White women have a black belt in the fake smile.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaya-dlanga/white-women-have-a-black-belt-in-the-fake-smile/) Khaya Dlanga > [“For Black women as well as Black men, it is axiomatic that if we do not define ourselves for ourselves, we will be defined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/for-black-women-as-well-as-black-men-it-is-axiomatic-that-if-we-do/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [I think the number one thing Black women and all Black people should be paying attention to is our health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-think-the-number-one-thing-black-women-and-all-black-people-should/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I get so tired of people acting like, you know, black men and women never help each other, never support each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-get-so-tired-of-people-acting-like-you-know-black-men-and-women/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [People who have been wronged will attempt to right the wrong; they would not be people if they didn't. They can rarely afford to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/people-who-have-been-wronged-will-attempt-to-right-the-wrong-they/) [James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/) > [To answer oppression with appropriate resistance requires knowledge of two kinds: in the first place, self-knowledge by the victim, which means awareness that oppression…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/to-answer-oppression-with-appropriate-resistance-requires-knowledge/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Oppressors in front of the Lord, truth be told shall inherit oppression, while others receive gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-atta-ullah-faizani/oppressors-in-front-of-the-lord-truth-be-told-shall-inherit/) [Muhammad Atta-ullah Faizani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-atta-ullah-faizani/) > [He who, when he hath the power, doeth not good, when he loses the means will suffer distress. There is not a more unfortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saadi/he-who-when-he-hath-the-power-doeth-not-good-when-he-loses-the-means/) [Saadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saadi/) > [It is startling to see how the oppressed almost invariably shape themselves in the image of their hated oppressors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/it-is-startling-to-see-how-the-oppressed-almost-invariably-shape/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Our task is not to liberate the oppressed, but to liberate the oppressors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/our-task-is-not-to-liberate-the-oppressed-but-to-liberate-the/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [The oppressed must never allow the conscience of the oppressor to slumber. Religion reminds every man that he is his brother's keeper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-oppressed-must-never-allow-the-conscience-of-the-oppressor-to/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [“As I'd seen over and again, people who see themselves as victims sometimes don't notice when they become oppressors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/souad-mekhennet/as-i-d-seen-over-and-again-people-who-see-themselves-as-victims/) [Souad Mekhennet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/souad-mekhennet/) > [All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: The United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/all-who-live-in-tyranny-and-hopelessness-can-know-the-united-states/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## More by Bell Hooks > [Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/right-now-for-many-americans-class-is-being-foregrounded-like-never/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Most folks believe we are hardwired biologically to long for sex but they do not believe we are hardwired to long for love. Almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/most-folks-believe-we-are-hardwired-biologically-to-long-for-sex-but/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-need-to-interrogate-reverence-for-idolization-can-be-another-way/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Couples who rarely or never have sex can know lifelong love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/couples-who-rarely-or-never-have-sex-can-know-lifelong-love/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The power of patriarchy has been to make maleness feared and to make men feel that it is better to be feared that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-power-of-patriarchy-has-been-to-make-maleness-feared-and-to-make/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“I feel enormously blessed to be a successful black woman writer in this culture, but I have found my small fame, such as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-feel-enormously-blessed-to-be-a-successful-black-woman-writer-in/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Language is also a place of struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/language-is-also-a-place-of-struggle/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [In this culture, the phrase 'black woman' is not synonymous with 'tender,' or 'gentle.' It's as if those words couldn't possibly speak to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/in-this-culture-the-phrase-black-woman-is-not-synonymous-with-tender/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It's interesting to look at all the aspects where everyday Americans, many of whom are not college educated, are thinking deeply now about our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/it-s-interesting-to-look-at-all-the-aspects-where-everyday-americans/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The true teacher is within us. A good teacher is someone who can help you to go back and touch the true teacher within,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-true-teacher-is-within-us-a-good-teacher-is-someone-who-can-help/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Advancing the notion that there can be many "feminisms" has served the conservative and liberal political interests of women seeking status and privileged class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/advancing-the-notion-that-there-can-be-many-feminisms-has-served-the/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I love my family, even as I critique their dysfunctionalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-love-my-family-even-as-i-critique-their-dysfunctionalities/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [You must have courage to love, you have to have a profound will to do what is right to love, and it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/you-must-have-courage-to-love-you-have-to-have-a-profound-will-to-do/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [To truly love we must learn to mix various ingredients - care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, and trust, as well as honest and open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/to-truly-love-we-must-learn-to-mix-various-ingredients-care-affection/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Often emphasis on identity and lifestyle is appealing because it creates a false sense that one is engaged in praxis. However, praxis within any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/often-emphasis-on-identity-and-lifestyle-is-appealing-because-it/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) [Explore all 541 Bell Hooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) ## More Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If soot stains your tunic, dye it black. This is vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/if-soot-stains-your-tunic-dye-it-black-this-is-vengeance/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) Browse all 11,655 Black quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "White women and black men have it both ways. They can act as oppressor or ... and oppression of others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bell Hooks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-ways-they-can-act-as-oppressor/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Black" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-ways-they-can-act-as-oppressor/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/867/bell-hooks-464_black_white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-w_2671526.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“White women and black men have it both ways. They can act as oppressor or ... and oppression of others.” — Bell Hooks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bell Hooks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "White women and black men have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-ways-they-can-act-as-oppressor/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/white-women-and-black-men-have-it-both-ways-they-can-act-as-oppressor/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```