--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up in a school system . . . where…" description: "\"I grew up in a school system . . . where nobody understood the meaning of learning disorder. In the West Indies, I was constantly being physically abus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e63/harry-belafonte-4893_disorder_i-grew-up-in-a-school-system-where-nobod_2947998.png" --- # I grew up in a school system . . . where nobody understood… ![“I grew up in a school system . . . where nobody understood the meaning of learning disorder. In the West Indies, I was constantly being physically abused because the whipping of students was permitted.” quote by Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e63/harry-belafonte-4893_disorder_i-grew-up-in-a-school-system-where-nobod_2947998.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e63/harry-belafonte-4893_disorder_i-grew-up-in-a-school-system-where-nobod_2947998.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e63/harry-belafonte-4893_disorder_i-grew-up-in-a-school-system-where-nobod_2947998.png) > “I grew up in a school system . . . where nobody understood the meaning of learning disorder. In the West Indies, I was constantly being physically abused because the whipping of students was permitted.” [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes a schooling experience lacking understanding of learning disorders and permitting physical punishment, highlighting systemic neglect. **In simple terms:** A school ignored learning issues and allowed abuse. Key Takeaway Advocate for compassionate, informed education. Themes education disability abuse systemic neglect advocacy Mood frustrated determined hopeful Type testimonial advocational critical. When to use this quote - teacher training - policy reform - student support services - anti‑bullying programs Key Concepts learning disorders institutional violence cultural context Questions to Reflect On - How can schools identify and support learning disorders early? - What safeguards prevent physical punishment in education? A Different Perspective Change requires cultural shifts and resources, not just policy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abused Whipping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abused-whipping-4428937/) [Disorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disorder/) [Dyslexia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dyslexia/) [Dyslexic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dyslexic/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Grew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grew/) [Grew up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grew-up/) [Learning Disorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-disorder-4428935/) [Physically Abused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physically-abused/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [School system](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-system/) [School Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school-understood-3629658/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Understood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understood/) [West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west/) [West indies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/west-indies/) [Whipping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whipping/) [Whipping Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whipping-students-4428936/) ## Related quotes > [I always knew that there was something that made me different, and by the time I was in high school, I understood what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-always-knew-that-there-was-something-that-made-me-different-and-by/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I went to law school because I understood what the power of the law is to make a difference in people's lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-harris/i-went-to-law-school-because-i-understood-what-the-power-of-the-law/) [Maya Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-harris/) > [I was never physically abused, but when I came out to my parents late in life, when I was 27, they definitely had an intervention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/i-was-never-physically-abused-but-when-i-came-out-to-my-parents-late/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [“He was abused and you didn’t believe him, he came to you months ago for help and you laughed at him. This is your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-bender/he-was-abused-and-you-didn-t-believe-him-he-came-to-you-months-ago/) [Melissa Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-bender/) > [“When I first began working in this area, I was startled to learn that while people who were physically abused by their fathers or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-forward/when-i-first-began-working-in-this-area-i-was-startled-to-learn-that/) [Susan Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-forward/) > [“ACEs are traumatic childhood events, and their consequences reach far into adulthood. The trauma need not be physical. The following events or feelings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/aces-are-traumatic-childhood-events-and-their-consequences-reach-far/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) > [“tried to go to a counselor, but it was just too weird. Talking to some stranger about my feelings made me want to vomit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/tried-to-go-to-a-counselor-but-it-was-just-too-weird-talking-to-some/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) > [My father rebelled ferociously against his conservative upbringing where his father physically abused him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-kiedis/my-father-rebelled-ferociously-against-his-conservative-upbringing/) [Anthony Kiedis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-kiedis/) > [“Most men and women born in the fifties or earlier were socialized to believe that marriages and/or committed romantic bonds of any kind should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/most-men-and-women-born-in-the-fifties-or-earlier-were-socialized-to/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Just as verbally and physically abused children internalize blame, so do incest victims. However, in incest, the blame is compounded by the shame. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-forward/just-as-verbally-and-physically-abused-children-internalize-blame-so/) [Susan Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-forward/) > [I was physically abused and I retaliated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-morton/i-was-physically-abused-and-i-retaliated/) [Samantha Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-morton/) > [If you're raised in a house where it's okay for one group to eat and another to cook, or for one group to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/if-you-re-raised-in-a-house-where-it-s-okay-for-one-group-to-eat-and/) [Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/) > [HURRICANE, n. An atmospheric demonstration once very common but now generally abandoned for the tornado and cyclone. The hurricane is still in popular use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hurricane-n-an-atmospheric-demonstration-once-very-common-but-now/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I met someone in the West Indies who was not able to walk. I put my hands on him and he was able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-de-burgh/i-met-someone-in-the-west-indies-who-was-not-able-to-walk-i-put-my/) [Chris de Burgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-de-burgh/) > [We West Indian cricketers are always proud to play for the West Indies and we know we are made up of different islands and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-lara/we-west-indian-cricketers-are-always-proud-to-play-for-the-west/) [Brian Lara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-lara/) ## More by Harry Belafonte > [As a matter of fact, compromise is what oppression feeds on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/as-a-matter-of-fact-compromise-is-what-oppression-feeds-on/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I think being born in America and growing up exclusively within the American boundaries of race and race oppression is a very different experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-think-being-born-in-america-and-growing-up-exclusively-within-the/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [Fascism is fascism. Terrorism is terrorism. Oppression is oppression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/fascism-is-fascism-terrorism-is-terrorism-oppression-is-oppression/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [If you believe in justice, if you believe in democracy, if you believe in people's rights, if you believe in the harmony of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/if-you-believe-in-justice-if-you-believe-in-democracy-if-you-believe/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [Each time we arrive at a new level in extricating ourselves from economic, social, spiritual domination, we have a moment when we dance in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/each-time-we-arrive-at-a-new-level-in-extricating-ourselves-from/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I'm not quite sure precisely when social and political activism became a visible brand of my DNA, but it seems to me that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-m-not-quite-sure-precisely-when-social-and-political-activism/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [In poor environment, I find great inspiration. Many of the men and women whom I admire as artists, the things they write, the songs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/in-poor-environment-i-find-great-inspiration-many-of-the-men-and/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I didn't like The Wiz and it wasn't because black people were doing it. I didn't like The Wiz because it was a badly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-didn-t-like-the-wiz-and-it-wasn-t-because-black-people-were-doing/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I'm always suspicious of celebrities that write about their lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-m-always-suspicious-of-celebrities-that-write-about-their-lives/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I became an anti-fascist, and the more I saw what was happening to the peoples of Europe, the Jews, the more I saw the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-became-an-anti-fascist-and-the-more-i-saw-what-was-happening-to-the/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [Although slavery may have been abolished, the crippling poison of racism still persists, and the struggle still continues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/although-slavery-may-have-been-abolished-the-crippling-poison-of/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [Although we had a lot of villainy here in America, Adolf Hitler was certainly the most visible illustration of what would happen if fascism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/although-we-had-a-lot-of-villainy-here-in-america-adolf-hitler-was/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I knew Charlie Parker, and he gave us such a gift with his music. He put so much into so little space, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-knew-charlie-parker-and-he-gave-us-such-a-gift-with-his-music-he/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [I not only think that they (U.S. leaders) are misguided, but I think they know exactly what they are doing and I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/i-not-only-think-that-they-u-s-leaders-are-misguided-but-i-think-they/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) > [Peace is necessary. For justice, it is necessary. For hope, it is necessary, for our future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-belafonte/peace-is-necessary-for-justice-it-is-necessary-for-hope-it-is/) [Harry Belafonte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) [Explore all 105 Harry Belafonte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-belafonte/) ## More Disorder quotes > [There is a nationwide shortage of drugs for Attention Deficit Disorder. The FDA says they're not sure how it happened. I guess somebody wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/there-is-a-nationwide-shortage-of-drugs-for-attention-deficit/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Sometimes labeling is only useful, like with OCD. Once you're labeled you can be treated. On other occasions labeling leads to tyranny, like with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/sometimes-labeling-is-only-useful-like-with-ocd-once-you-re-labeled/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) > [Having an eating disorder doesn't show ‘strength.’ Strength is when are able to overcome your demons after being sick and tired for so long.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/having-an-eating-disorder-doesn-t-show-strength-strength-is-when-are/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Metaphor isn't just a fancy turn of speech. It shapes our thoughts and feelings, reaches out to grasp new experience, and even binds our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-richardson/metaphor-isn-t-just-a-fancy-turn-of-speech-it-shapes-our-thoughts-and/) [James Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-richardson/) > [love is a mental illness, an obsessive-compulsive disorder romanticized!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-jerome-dickey/love-is-a-mental-illness-an-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-romanticized/) [Eric Jerome Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-jerome-dickey/) > [What you call disorder is nothing else than one of the laws of the order you comprehend not and which you have erroneously named…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marquis-de-sade/what-you-call-disorder-is-nothing-else-than-one-of-the-laws-of-the/) [Marquis de Sade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marquis-de-sade/) > [“The word is dissociate. There is no 'a' before the 'ss'. People invariably say dis-a-ssociate, which, if you're suffering Disso-ciative Identity Disorder/Multiple Personality Disorder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-jamieson/the-word-is-dissociate-there-is-no-a-before-the-ss-people-invariably/) [Alice Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-jamieson/) > [Disorder in the society is the result of disorder in the family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-ann-seton/disorder-in-the-society-is-the-result-of-disorder-in-the-family/) [Elizabeth Ann Seton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-ann-seton/) > [If you're spending so much time at the gym that your mail is forwarded there, you're not dedicated - you've got a mental disorder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-john/if-you-re-spending-so-much-time-at-the-gym-that-your-mail-is/) [Dan John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-john/) > [“although those who exhibit structural division of the personality commonly exhibit altered states of consciousness, only relatively few individuals who experience altered states of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-frewen/although-those-who-exhibit-structural-division-of-the-personality/) [Paul Frewen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-frewen/) > [We study health, and we deliberate upon our meats and drink and air and exercises, and we hew and we polish every stone that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-donne/we-study-health-and-we-deliberate-upon-our-meats-and-drink-and-air/) [John Donne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-donne/) > [Begbie offers an additional valuable contribution by rejecting the traditional emphasis on beauty, in its Platonic sense, and instead suggesting that beauty be reconceived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-walford/begbie-offers-an-additional-valuable-contribution-by-rejecting-the/) [John Walford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-walford/) > [The more people talk about eating disorders, the more people get the real story about what they're like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-pomers/the-more-people-talk-about-eating-disorders-the-more-people-get-the/) [Scarlett Pomers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-pomers/) > [You know, entropy is associated thermodynamically, in systems involving heat, with disorder. And in an analogous way, information is associated with disorder, which seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gleick/you-know-entropy-is-associated-thermodynamically-in-systems-involving/) [James Gleick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gleick/) > [The increase of disorder or entropy is what distinguishes the past from the future, giving a direction to time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hawking/the-increase-of-disorder-or-entropy-is-what-distinguishes-the-past/) [Stephen Hawking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hawking/) [Browse all 1,080 Disorder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disorder/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I grew up in a school system . . . where nobody understood the meaning of learning disorder. 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