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Black Quote by Ishmael Reed

“Two of the great leaders of the past - Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass - had White fathers - who deserted them. Now Margo Jefferson, who is hard on me and the fellas, wrote in the Times that she has nocturnal, erotic fantasies about John Wayne. What's up with these feminists? Do you…” quote by Ishmael Reed
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“Two of the great leaders of the past - Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass - had White fathers - who deserted them. Now Margo Jefferson, who is hard on me and the fellas, wrote in the Times that she has nocturnal, erotic fantasies about John Wayne. What's up with these feminists? Do you see these double standards these feminists have? They dream about John Wayne, but they're hard on us [Black men].”

Ishmael Reed

About This Quote

Source Essay: The New York Times, 2023

The quote highlights perceived double standards where some feminists criticize Black men while fantasizing about white icons, suggesting hypocrisy in gender and race discourse.

In simple terms: It points out alleged hypocrisy in feminist attitudes toward race and gender.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and challenge double standards in discourse.

Themes

gender race hypocrisy feminism double standards

Mood

critical skeptical analytical

Type

opinion social commentary

When to use this quote

  • media commentary
  • activist writing
  • public debate
  • social media discourse

Key Concepts

intersectionality power dynamics social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do personal fantasies intersect with public political stances?
  • What evidence supports claims of widespread double standards?
A Different Perspective

The claim may overgeneralize feminist perspectives and ignore diverse viewpoints.

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