--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The colors black and white are my…" description: "\"The colors black and white are my uniform, to honor the working class. People like my parents, who were janitors and had to wear a uniform every day. I..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/janelle-monae-3903_black_the-colors-black-and-white-are-my-unifor_1647100.png" --- # The colors black and white are my uniform, to honor the… ![“The colors black and white are my uniform, to honor the working class. People like my parents, who were janitors and had to wear a uniform every day. It keeps me grounded.” quote by Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/janelle-monae-3903_black_the-colors-black-and-white-are-my-unifor_1647100.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/janelle-monae-3903_black_the-colors-black-and-white-are-my-unifor_1647100.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/janelle-monae-3903_black_the-colors-black-and-white-are-my-unifor_1647100.png) > “The colors black and white are my uniform, to honor the working class. People like my parents, who were janitors and had to wear a uniform every day. It keeps me grounded.” [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She uses black and white attire to symbolize solidarity with the working class and personal roots. **In simple terms:** Uniform reflects class solidarity. Key Takeaway Use fashion to express values and heritage. Themes identity class fashion solidarity heritage Mood empowering thoughtful Type cultural personal When to use this quote - fashion shows - community outreach - personal branding Key Concepts symbolic dress cultural representation social activism Questions to Reflect On - How does clothing influence perceptions of class? - What other symbols can convey solidarity? A Different Perspective It could be misinterpreted as a simplistic uniform. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black and white](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-and-white/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Color](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color/) [Color black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/color-black/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Parent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parent/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Uniform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uniform/) [Working class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-class/) ## Related quotes > [Veterans Day is a time to celebrate the men and women who have worn this nation's uniform and to honor their service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammy-duckworth/veterans-day-is-a-time-to-celebrate-the-men-and-women-who-have-worn/) [Tammy Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammy-duckworth/) > [I call it my uniform. My mother was a janitor and my father collected trash, so I wear a uniform, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-call-it-my-uniform-my-mother-was-a-janitor-and-my-father-collected/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Your white uniform as a black domestic was your ticket anywhere in town.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/your-white-uniform-as-a-black-domestic-was-your-ticket-anywhere-in/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [That white uniform was her 'pass' to get into white places with us - the grocery store, the state fair, the movies. Even though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/that-white-uniform-was-her-pass-to-get-into-white-places-with-us-the/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [I always say, the only time you gotta worry about getting booed is when you're wearing a white uniform. And I've never been booed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rose/i-always-say-the-only-time-you-gotta-worry-about-getting-booed-is/) [Pete Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rose/) > [Shame ain't black, like dirt, like I always thought it was. Shame be the color of a new white uniform your mother ironed all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/shame-ain-t-black-like-dirt-like-i-always-thought-it-was-shame-be-the/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [The American servicemen and women of the Guard and Reserve leave their jobs, their spouses and their children to wear the uniform that defends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/the-american-servicemen-and-women-of-the-guard-and-reserve-leave/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [In order to be a part of the totalitarian mind-set, it is not necessary to wear a uniform or carry a club or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/in-order-to-be-a-part-of-the-totalitarian-mind-set-it-is-not/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“If you should rise from Nowhere up to Somewhere, From being No one up to being Someone, Be sure to keep repeating to yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/if-you-should-rise-from-nowhere-up-to-somewhere-from-being-no-one-up/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [I fight for people that wear a uniform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-toole/i-fight-for-people-that-wear-a-uniform/) [Erin O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-toole/) > [I see many soldiers; could I but see many warriors! "Uniform" one calleth what they wear; may it not be uniform what they therewith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/i-see-many-soldiers-could-i-but-see-many-warriors-uniform-one-calleth/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I could never wear another uniform. I will forever be a Yankee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-posada/i-could-never-wear-another-uniform-i-will-forever-be-a-yankee/) [Jorge Posada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-posada/) > [A lot of fighters want that freedom to have their own sponsorships. When you think about it, how do you make independent contractors wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-coker/a-lot-of-fighters-want-that-freedom-to-have-their-own-sponsorships/) [Scott Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-coker/) > [Rock bands are a lot like football teams: If a guy is on drugs and messes up, get someone else who's proud to wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-simmons/rock-bands-are-a-lot-like-football-teams-if-a-guy-is-on-drugs-and/) [Gene Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-simmons/) > [On stage, I wear my 'uniform' - my all white and flowy suit. It makes me feel 'in-my-body' and sensual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-hawley-weld/on-stage-i-wear-my-uniform-my-all-white-and-flowy-suit-it-makes-me/) [Sophie Hawley-Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-hawley-weld/) ## More by Janelle Monae > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Perfection is the enemy of greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/perfection-is-the-enemy-of-greatness/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I am going to take art more seriously. I most definitely want to leave behind art, and that does not just mean music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-am-going-to-take-art-more-seriously-i-most-definitely-want-to-leave/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-unfortunate-that-a-lot-of-people-think-african-american-female/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [ It's hard for me to be serious. I can't really rub oil on me and go all the way with it \[laughs\]. I hear… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-hard-for-me-to-be-serious-i-can-t-really-rub-oil-on-me-and-go/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [People don't ask Jay-Z to take his shirt off when he rhymes,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/people-don-t-ask-jay-z-to-take-his-shirt-off-when-he-rhymes/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I hope women feel confident with themselves and realize that we don't all have to look alike or be the same size to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-hope-women-feel-confident-with-themselves-and-realize-that-we-don-t/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I feel myself becoming the fearless person I have dreamt of being. Have I arrived? No. But I'm constantly evolving and challenging myself to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-feel-myself-becoming-the-fearless-person-i-have-dreamt-of-being/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I was made to believe there's something wrong with me,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-was-made-to-believe-there-s-something-wrong-with-me/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I spend a lot of time in the future, But to help the future, sometimes you got to go back to the past, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-the-future-but-to-help-the-future-sometimes/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I have worn a tuxedo, but I have never covered up for respectability politics or to shame other women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-have-worn-a-tuxedo-but-i-have-never-covered-up-for-respectability/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [You are only as beautiful as the many beautiful things you do for others without expectation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/you-are-only-as-beautiful-as-the-many-beautiful-things-you-do-for/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Beauty is about enhancing what you have. Let yourself shine through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/beauty-is-about-enhancing-what-you-have-let-yourself-shine-through/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I'm always thinking about that young girl or young boy who doesn't quite know if their music, their messaging, their imaging, their voice is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-m-always-thinking-about-that-young-girl-or-young-boy-who-doesn-t/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I've cried over string arrangements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-ve-cried-over-string-arrangements/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) [Explore all 119 Janelle Monae quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) ## More Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. 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We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. 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