Cities Quote by Josephine Baker
“Friends, to me for years St. Louis represented a city of fear... humiliation... misery and terror... A city where in the eyes of the white man a Negro should know his place and had better stay in it.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Civil Rights Advocacy, 1940s, United States
She describes St. Louis as a place of systemic racism and oppression that forced Black people into subservient roles.
In simple terms: St. Louis was seen as a hostile, racist city.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge systemic racism.
Themes
racism
oppression
civil rights
identity
history
Mood
anguished
determined
Type
historical
activist
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- community organizing
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
systemic inequality
social hierarchy
racial segregation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does environment shape identity?
- What can be done to dismantle systemic oppression?
A Different Perspective
Racism persists despite progress.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
