--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being a black person in America is…" description: "\"Being a black person in America is exhausting.\" — Lena Waithe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg" --- # Being a black person in America is exhausting. ![“Being a black person in America is exhausting.” quote by Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg) > “Being a black person in America is exhausting.” [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being Black in the U.S. is a constant source of fatigue due to systemic racism and microaggressions. **In simple terms:** Black life in America is exhausting. Key Takeaway Address systemic inequities to reduce this burden. Themes race fatigue systemic oppression Mood somber empathetic Type social critique personal narrative When to use this quote - workplace - education - public spaces Key Concepts microaggressions mental health social justice Questions to Reflect On - What policies could alleviate this exhaustion? - How can allies support? A Different Perspective May generalize experience of all Black people. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [America Exhausting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-exhausting-2754114/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-person/) [Exhausting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhausting/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Person America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person-america-1034949/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [I don't think any of us that are white can ever fully understand what it's like to be a black person in America today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/i-don-t-think-any-of-us-that-are-white-can-ever-fully-understand-what/) [Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/) > [The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-most-unprotected-person-in-america-is-the-black-woman/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I don't think there is another person in America that wants to tell this story as much as I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-north/i-don-t-think-there-is-another-person-in-america-that-wants-to-tell/) [Oliver North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-north/) > [I'm going to fight for every person in America who believes government should serve the people, not the donors and not the special interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-going-to-fight-for-every-person-in-america-who-believes/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-most-disrespected-person-in-america-is-the-black-woman-the-most/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [We don't have a system that knocks on doors of every person in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-don-t-have-a-system-that-knocks-on-doors-of-every-person-in-america/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [“repeatedly despite my feeble protestations. I would soon discover—perhaps the last person in America to do so—that this film was part of an entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-essex/repeatedly-despite-my-feeble-protestations-i-would-soon-discover/) [Andrew Essex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-essex/) > [The first time probably people really were aware of me, I unfortunately had the title of Showtime's Funniest Person in America. And that's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/the-first-time-probably-people-really-were-aware-of-me-i/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [I say, do not mess with Oprah. The one person in America you shouldn't mess with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-velez-mitchell/i-say-do-not-mess-with-oprah-the-one-person-in-america-you-shouldn-t/) [Jane Velez-Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-velez-mitchell/) > [It is utterly exhausting being Black in America - physically, mentally, and emotionally. While many minority groups and women feel similar stress, there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/it-is-utterly-exhausting-being-black-in-america-physically-mentally/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [Talk to any black person in my age group, and they'll say 'A Different World' is why they went to college. The show literally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/talk-to-any-black-person-in-my-age-group-and-they-ll-say-a-different/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [To be a black person is to come from a long bloodline of survivors and storytellers, with a resilience that people can't even comprehend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/to-be-a-black-person-is-to-come-from-a-long-bloodline-of-survivors/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I don't understand most blacks, they think that it's all white peoples fault. All this is just distraction from what's really happening in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-davoti/i-don-t-understand-most-blacks-they-think-that-it-s-all-white-peoples/) [Kristen Davoti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-davoti/) > [I don't think I'm really so unique. If every black person looked at their life they would quickly discover that they have been influenced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-ayers/i-don-t-think-i-m-really-so-unique-if-every-black-person-looked-at/) [Roy Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-ayers/) > [I don't understand how any black person can tell me that they're not pro-gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/i-don-t-understand-how-any-black-person-can-tell-me-that-they-re-not/) [Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/) ## More by Lena Waithe > [I'm a huge fan of television, and the reason I'm a part of the world is because I'm a fan of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-m-a-huge-fan-of-television-and-the-reason-i-m-a-part-of-the-world/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it's gotten me a pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/to-be-yourself-is-truly-a-revolutionary-act-and-i-think-more-and-more/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-love-basketball-when-i-m-flying-and-i-have-on-sweats-a-hat-and/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The only way you really see change is by helping to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-only-way-you-really-see-change-is-by-helping-to-create-it/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/for-me-it-s-about-making-art-that-s-not-good-but-phenomenal-james/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The truth is, for me, when I was a young black girl who knew I was different, was watching TV, I would always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-truth-is-for-me-when-i-was-a-young-black-girl-who-knew-i-was/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [There's something specific about Chicagoans, and I just felt like I'd love to tell their story in a creative way. Not in a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/there-s-something-specific-about-chicagoans-and-i-just-felt-like-i-d/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/it-s-always-been-my-intention-to-never-be-boxed-in-i-never-like-to-do/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Most writers stick to what they know. The black experience is our experience, so it's not that challenging for us. That's why sometimes you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/most-writers-stick-to-what-they-know-the-black-experience-is-our/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Wearing one hoop earring and playing with the androgyny - that's who I am. That's what I like to do. And I feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/wearing-one-hoop-earring-and-playing-with-the-androgyny-that-s-who-i/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [You can talk all day long, but if you don't do something, it's a waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/you-can-talk-all-day-long-but-if-you-don-t-do-something-it-s-a-waste/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I sort of knew very early on that I wanted to be a writer. Even in high school, I was a big movie buff,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-sort-of-knew-very-early-on-that-i-wanted-to-be-a-writer-even-in/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/my-family-still-lives-in-chicago-my-mother-my-sister-my-nephew-my/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I feel like I've accomplished a lot, but for me, it's about pushing to the point where I can be Mark Walhberg, Ryan Murphy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-feel-like-i-ve-accomplished-a-lot-but-for-me-it-s-about-pushing-to/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [With 'The Chi,' it's me observing my own city and also pulling some things from themes I've dealt with in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/with-the-chi-it-s-me-observing-my-own-city-and-also-pulling-some/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) [Explore all 112 Lena Waithe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being a black person in America is exhausting.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lena Waithe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhausting/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "America" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhausting/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64b/lena-waithe-4351_america_being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhau_2703736.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being a black person in America is exhausting.” — Lena Waithe", "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": "Lena Waithe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Being a black person in America...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhausting/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/being-a-black-person-in-america-is-exhausting/#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 } } ] } ```