Attitude Quote by Jamaica Kincaid
“The strange thing about my life is that I came to America at about the time when racial attitudes were changing. This was a big help to me. Also, the people who were most cruel to me when I first came to America were black Americans. They made absolute fun of the way I talked, the way I dressed. I couldn't dance. The people who were most kind and loving to me were white people. So what can one make of that? Perhaps it was a coincidence that all the people who found me strange were black and all the people who didn't were white.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: My Brother's Keeper, 1990
The narrator reflects on how shifting racial attitudes in America affected her experience, noting unexpected kindness from whites and cruelty from blacks, suggesting irony in social dynamics.
In simple terms: Racial attitudes changed; unexpected kindness and cruelty.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that prejudice can come from any group.
Themes
identity
race
irony
social perception
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
personal
observational
When to use this quote
- immigration
- college life
- workplace interactions
- community building
Key Concepts
intersectionality
social dynamics
bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal encounters shape our view of race?
- Can we generalize from isolated incidents?
A Different Perspective
Individual experiences may not represent broader societal trends.
