--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Race is a lie built on a lie. The first…" description: "\"Race is a lie built on a lie. The first lie is that people are different, somehow skin color or hair texture is more significant than eye color, or the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/benjamin-jealous-40368_brown_race-is-a-lie-built-on-a-lie-the-first-l_3153574.jpg" --- # Race is a lie built on a lie. The first lie is that people… ![“Race is a lie built on a lie. The first lie is that people are different, somehow skin color or hair texture is more significant than eye color, or the shape of one's feet. The second lie built on top of that is that there's a hierarchy that more significant difference, the color showing up as…” quote by Benjamin Jealous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/benjamin-jealous-40368_brown_race-is-a-lie-built-on-a-lie-the-first-l_3153574.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/benjamin-jealous-40368_brown_race-is-a-lie-built-on-a-lie-the-first-l_3153574.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/395/benjamin-jealous-40368_brown_race-is-a-lie-built-on-a-lie-the-first-l_3153574.jpg) > “Race is a lie built on a lie. The first lie is that people are different, somehow skin color or hair texture is more significant than eye color, or the shape of one's feet. The second lie built on top of that is that there's a hierarchy that more significant difference, the color showing up as brown on your skin rather than brown in your hair, or whatever, is somehow more significant and there's some sort of hierarchy. That the lighter you are, the straighter your hair, the better you are.” [Benjamin Jealous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-jealous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that race is a constructed falsehood, first asserting superficial differences, then layering a hierarchy that values lighter skin and straight hair as superior. **In simple terms:** Race is a false hierarchy based on superficial traits. Key Takeaway Reject racial hierarchies. Themes eity hierarchy identity prejudice social constructs Mood critical reflective Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - education reform - policy making - personal reflection - community building Key Concepts Sociology critical race theory psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do societal structures reinforce racial myths? - What steps can dismantle these hierarchies? A Different Perspective The argument may oversimplify complex historical and biological factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Hierarchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hierarchy/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Skin color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skin-color/) ## Related quotes > [“Race doesn't exist. Skin color exists. Hair and eye color are real. 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