--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's the way blacks have been…" description: "\"That's the way blacks have been encouraged to think: that we got to stick together. You've got a situation today where if a black person says he thinks..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png" --- # That's the way blacks have been encouraged to think: that… ![“That's the way blacks have been encouraged to think: that we got to stick together. You've got a situation today where if a black person says he thinks O.J. Simpson's guilty, other blacks will cut their eyes at him and say, 'You ought to go somewhere and sit down and shut up.'” quote by J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png) > “That's the way blacks have been encouraged to think: that we got to stick together. You've got a situation today where if a black person says he thinks O.J. Simpson's guilty, other blacks will cut their eyes at him and say, 'You ought to go somewhere and sit down and shut up.'” [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) ## 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 highlights pressure within Black communities to conform to a collective viewpoint, discouraging dissenting opinions. **In simple terms:** Black groups may silence members who disagree. Key Takeaway Encourage respectful dialogue over forced unity. Themes race community conformity speech identity Mood reflective critical concerned Type social political When to use this quote - political discussions - community meetings - online forums - family gatherings Key Concepts social pressure groupthink censorship Questions to Reflect On - How can communities balance solidarity with openness to differing views? - What are the risks of silencing dissent? A Different Perspective May stifle individual expression and critical thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks/) [Encouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouraged/) [Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes/) [Guilty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilty/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Stick together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stick-together/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [We can see that the complexity we witness inside the African-American community today has always been there. Black people were just as noble and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-louis-gates/we-can-see-that-the-complexity-we-witness-inside-the-african-american/) [Henry Louis Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-louis-gates/) > [“Today is a black day. Tomorrow it may be white. You may look beautiful one day, and not the next. It is not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chloe-thurlow/today-is-a-black-day-tomorrow-it-may-be-white-you-may-look-beautiful/) [Chloe Thurlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chloe-thurlow/) > [Money has changed today's black athletes. Those who have the ability as African men to bring a change in a community that so desperately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-brown/money-has-changed-today-s-black-athletes-those-who-have-the-ability/) [Jim Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-brown/) > [When people of color and their allies say today that Black Lives Matter, the nation must hear and see it through the lens of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-swalwell/when-people-of-color-and-their-allies-say-today-that-black-lives/) [Eric Swalwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-swalwell/) > [In football, what today is black, tomorrow is white.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ander-herrera/in-football-what-today-is-black-tomorrow-is-white/) [Ander Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ander-herrera/) > [Historically, black women have suffered tremendously, but today's black women are the triumph. We have choices, and that's what freedom is all about: having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-l-taylor/historically-black-women-have-suffered-tremendously-but-today-s-black/) [Susan L. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-l-taylor/) > [Media today is even more black and white, then early photography ever was](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loesje/media-today-is-even-more-black-and-white-then-early-photography-ever/) [Loesje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loesje/) > [I imposed black; it still going strong today, for black wipes out everything else around](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-chanel/i-imposed-black-it-still-going-strong-today-for-black-wipes-out/) [Coco Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-chanel/) > [TODAY is BLACK SATURDAY. Do not BLOCK GOD to enter in our lives today and forever. GOD is the WAY, the TRUTH and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/today-is-black-saturday-do-not-block-god-to-enter-in-our-lives-today/) [Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/) > [I think the O.J. Simpson case conjured all the paranoia, the racial anxiety, but also the racial fatigue that America has endured over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/i-think-the-o-j-simpson-case-conjured-all-the-paranoia-the-racial/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [This doesn't happen in America! Maybe Ohio, but not in America!" Homer Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-groening/this-doesn-t-happen-in-america-maybe-ohio-but-not-in-america-homer/) [Matt Groening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-groening/) > [Since September 11, security has been increased everywhere, and we have new IDs to get on to the Fox lot. I drove to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-cartwright/since-september-11-security-has-been-increased-everywhere-and-we-have/) [Nancy Cartwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-cartwright/) > [To me, one of the big silver linings of the Simpson trial is the advances we've made in understanding domestic violence as a lethal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-clark/to-me-one-of-the-big-silver-linings-of-the-simpson-trial-is-the/) [Marcia Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-clark/) > [I loved my job... then the Simpson case happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-clark/i-loved-my-job-then-the-simpson-case-happened/) [Marcia Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-clark/) > [It is true that from a behavioral economics perspective we are fallible, easily confused, not that smart, and often irrational. We are more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/it-is-true-that-from-a-behavioral-economics-perspective-we-are/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) ## More by J. C. Watts > [Republicans think that the NAACP is the only voice in the black community. It is a voice in the black community. But it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/republicans-think-that-the-naacp-is-the-only-voice-in-the-black/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [The more I ponder some of the boneheaded decisions GOP candidates have made of late, I can't bring myself to believe that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/the-more-i-ponder-some-of-the-boneheaded-decisions-gop-candidates/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [Individual responsibility, hard work, paying attention in school, faith, family all these things are important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/individual-responsibility-hard-work-paying-attention-in-school-faith/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [I believe government should be loyal to parents, teachers and children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/i-believe-government-should-be-loyal-to-parents-teachers-and-children/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [I think that anybody that stays in school, gets good grades, pays the price, I think we are wealthy enough in the public and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/i-think-that-anybody-that-stays-in-school-gets-good-grades-pays-the/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [Having a Republican candidate speak at the NAACP convention is like trying to build a house starting at the roof. If you don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/having-a-republican-candidate-speak-at-the-naacp-convention-is-like/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [You always hear 'black Republican,' but you never hear 'white Democrat.' We've got to get beyond the labels and stereotypes. Other people have hang-ups…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/you-always-hear-black-republican-but-you-never-hear-white-democrat-we/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [There is a war being waged right now on prayer and religion by liberals who are taking every opportunity to make America as God-less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/there-is-a-war-being-waged-right-now-on-prayer-and-religion-by/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [As an Oklahoma quarterback, you learn to perform under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/as-an-oklahoma-quarterback-you-learn-to-perform-under-pressure/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [Good policy makes good politics and what I've done has been good politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/good-policy-makes-good-politics-and-what-i-ve-done-has-been-good/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [The strength of America is not in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/the-strength-of-america-is-not-in-washington/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [It takes a lot of strength to let go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/it-takes-a-lot-of-strength-to-let-go/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [A Black man voting for the Republicans makes about as much sense as a chicken voting for Col. Sanders,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/a-black-man-voting-for-the-republicans-makes-about-as-much-sense-as-a/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [The establishment wonders why we can't get more of the black vote. It's because it's not doing the things necessary to establish a deeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/the-establishment-wonders-why-we-can-t-get-more-of-the-black-vote-it/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) > [The Republican Party is terrific at determining how a program will impact the federal budget, but we're not nearly as good as the Democrats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/the-republican-party-is-terrific-at-determining-how-a-program-will/) [J. C. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) [Explore all 84 J. C. Watts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/) ## More Been quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Well, I've been politically involved for a really long time. Growing up in the segregated South, it was a very painful experience for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cybill-shepherd/well-i-ve-been-politically-involved-for-a-really-long-time-growing-up/) [Cybill Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cybill-shepherd/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Windmills and solar cells are carbon-free sources of electricity. But they are costly. If you've been investing in those, give it up. That game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-fisher/windmills-and-solar-cells-are-carbon-free-sources-of-electricity-but/) [Kenneth Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-fisher/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [I have never been in, nor have I had any strong particular desire to be in, what is termed a costume drama, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-freeman/i-have-never-been-in-nor-have-i-had-any-strong-particular-desire-to/) [Martin Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-freeman/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I've always been a believer in research. It's great to have an instinctual human reaction to a character, too, of course, but it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-ve-always-been-a-believer-in-research-it-s-great-to-have-an/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) Browse all 13,699 Been quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That's the way blacks have been encouraged to think: that we got to stick together. You've got a situation today where if a black person says he thinks O.J. Simpson's guilty, other blacks will cut their eyes at him and say, 'You ought to go somewhere and sit down and shut up.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "J. C. Watts" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encouraged-to-think-that-we-got-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Been" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encouraged-to-think-that-we-got-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/283/j-c-watts-8129_been_that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encourag_1274542.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That's the way blacks have been encouraged to think: that we got to stick together. You've got a situation…” — J. C. Watts", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "J. C. Watts", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-watts/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "That's the way blacks have been...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encouraged-to-think-that-we-got-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-watts/that-s-the-way-blacks-have-been-encouraged-to-think-that-we-got-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```