--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: it means what it say,\" Ethel said. \"It…" description: "\"“it means what it say,\" Ethel said. \"It means that a Hebrew may not enslave a Hebrew. But the sons of Ham are not of that tribe. The were cursed, with ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/colson-whitehead-1042_black-skin_it-means-what-it-say-ethel-said-it-means_2239310.png" --- # it means what it say," Ethel said. "It means that a Hebrew… ![“it means what it say," Ethel said. "It means that a Hebrew may not enslave a Hebrew. But the sons of Ham are not of that tribe. The were cursed, with black skin and tails. Where the Scripture condemns slavery, it is not speaking of negro slavery at all.” quote by Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/colson-whitehead-1042_black-skin_it-means-what-it-say-ethel-said-it-means_2239310.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/colson-whitehead-1042_black-skin_it-means-what-it-say-ethel-said-it-means_2239310.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2dd/colson-whitehead-1042_black-skin_it-means-what-it-say-ethel-said-it-means_2239310.png) > ““it means what it say," Ethel said. "It means that a Hebrew may not enslave a Hebrew. But the sons of Ham are not of that tribe. The were cursed, with black skin and tails. Where the Scripture condemns slavery, it is not speaking of negro slavery at all.”” [Colson Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colson-whitehead/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that biblical texts condemning slavery refer to ancient peoples, not to African descendants, using a literalist reading to deny the relevance of scripture to modern racial slavery. **In simple terms:** It says the Bible’s anti‑slavery verses don’t apply to Black people. Key Takeaway Question the historical context of religious texts before applying them to current issues. Themes interpretation religion race history slavery Mood critical reflective Type analytical ethical When to use this quote - Academic debate on biblical exegesis - civil rights activism - educational curricula - interfaith dialogues Key Concepts Biblical literalism racial theology historical criticism Questions to Reflect On - How do we reconcile ancient texts with modern human rights? - What role should historical context play in interpreting scripture? A Different Perspective The argument overlooks the broader moral principles of equality and justice present in many traditions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black skin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-skin/) [Judaism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judaism/) [Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture/) [Slavery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slavery/) ## Related quotes > [Ethel said: "Lloyd, there's someone here you may remember-" Daisy could not restrain herself. 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