--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'll hire blacks as long as they can do…" description: "\"I'll hire blacks as long as they can do the cotton-pickin' job.\" — Evan Mecham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/evan-mecham-236842_black_i-ll-hire-blacks-as-long-as-they-can-do_185278.png" --- # I'll hire blacks as long as they can do the cotton-pickin'… ![“I'll hire blacks as long as they can do the cotton-pickin' job.” quote by Evan Mecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/evan-mecham-236842_black_i-ll-hire-blacks-as-long-as-they-can-do_185278.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/evan-mecham-236842_black_i-ll-hire-blacks-as-long-as-they-can-do_185278.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be2/evan-mecham-236842_black_i-ll-hire-blacks-as-long-as-they-can-do_185278.png) > “I'll hire blacks as long as they can do the cotton-pickin' job.” [Evan Mecham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-mecham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An endorsement of hiring based on ability, but framed with racially charged language, reflecting prejudice and contradictory employment standards **In simple terms:** Hire based on skill, yet using offensive language Key Takeaway Reject discriminatory hiring rhetoric Themes employment race prejudice politics ethics Mood angry critical Type political controversial When to use this quote - political discourse - human resources - social justice Key Concepts racial bias labor policy Questions to Reflect On - How can hiring policies be truly merit‑based? - What steps counter racial bias in employment? A Different Perspective Such rhetoric perpetuates systemic racism ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks/) [Blacks Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks-long-1971119/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cotton/) [Cotton Pickin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cotton-pickin-1627684/) [Governors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governors/) [Hire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hire/) [Hire Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hire-blacks-1971118/) [Hiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hiring/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Job well done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-well-done/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Picks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picks/) ## Related quotes > [Let me make a point here, in case this isn't becoming extremely clear. 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