--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why can't we have racism that's ignorant…" description: "\"Why can't we have racism that's ignorant but nice? You could have stereotypes that are positive about race. You could say, \"Those Chinese people, they ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/louis-c-k-1150_candy_why-can-t-we-have-racism-that-s-ignorant_2275911.png" --- # Why can't we have racism that's ignorant but nice? You… ![“Why can't we have racism that's ignorant but nice? You could have stereotypes that are positive about race. You could say, "Those Chinese people, they can fly!" "You know about the Puerto Ricans? They're made of candy!"” quote by Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/louis-c-k-1150_candy_why-can-t-we-have-racism-that-s-ignorant_2275911.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/louis-c-k-1150_candy_why-can-t-we-have-racism-that-s-ignorant_2275911.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/louis-c-k-1150_candy_why-can-t-we-have-racism-that-s-ignorant_2275911.png) > “Why can't we have racism that's ignorant but nice? You could have stereotypes that are positive about race. You could say, "Those Chinese people, they can fly!" "You know about the Puerto Ricans? They're made of candy!"” [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Racism can be expressed as harmless stereotypes, but even “nice” prejudice reinforces harmful generalizations and inequality. **In simple terms:** Nice stereotypes still cause harm. Key Takeaway Avoid all stereotypes, even positive ones. Themes prejudice stereotypes race language humor Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type ethical social commentary humorous When to use this quote - casual conversation - media jokes - online memes - teaching diversity - policy making Key Concepts social psychology implicit bias cultural narratives Questions to Reflect On - How do “nice” stereotypes affect real opportunities? - Can humor ever be truly harmless? A Different Perspective Positive stereotypes can still limit individuals and mask systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candy/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinese/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Stereotype](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotype/) [Stereotypes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stereotypes/) ## Related quotes > [“The Kid told me that he thought gay people were supposed to be classy, but then he looked me up and down and said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-klune/the-kid-told-me-that-he-thought-gay-people-were-supposed-to-be-classy/) [T.J. Klune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-klune/) > [Racism is ignorant. And it's stupid. And it's old. And it's played out. So beat it already with that, you know what I mean?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-latifah/racism-is-ignorant-and-it-s-stupid-and-it-s-old-and-it-s-played-out/) [Queen Latifah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-latifah/) > [Since I've been in this industry, it's been a constant fight; "Oh, he's white, he's Cuban." "He's tryin' to do hip-hop and he's too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pitbull/since-i-ve-been-in-this-industry-it-s-been-a-constant-fight-oh-he-s/) [Pitbull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pitbull/) > [The reliance on stereotypes is in part the result of a structural problem within the media. Most newspapers have a business beat, with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sasha-abramsky/the-reliance-on-stereotypes-is-in-part-the-result-of-a-structural/) [Sasha Abramsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sasha-abramsky/) > [ \[One task of intellectuals is\] to break down the stereotypes and reductive categories that are . . . limiting to human thought and communication. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/one-task-of-intellectuals-is-to-break-down-the-stereotypes-and/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) > [Unless you do the same thing, it's tough for stereotypes to stick. That said, whatever you've done that's most popular at a given moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-reilly/unless-you-do-the-same-thing-it-s-tough-for-stereotypes-to-stick-that/) [John C. Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-reilly/) > [There are certain stereotypes that are offensive. Some of them don't worry me, though. For instance, I have always thought that Mammy character in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-elizabeth-delany/there-are-certain-stereotypes-that-are-offensive-some-of-them-don-t/) [Annie Elizabeth Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-elizabeth-delany/) > [The gender stereotypes introduced in childhood are reinforced throughout our lives and become self-fulfilling prophesies. Most leadership positions are held by men, so women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/the-gender-stereotypes-introduced-in-childhood-are-reinforced/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [I think there's a stereotype of what a biker is, and I think that's one of the reasons people are shocked when they find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marisa-miller/i-think-there-s-a-stereotype-of-what-a-biker-is-and-i-think-that-s/) [Marisa Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marisa-miller/) > [There are a lot of stereotypes to be broken which I think a lot of us are doing. What I do is, as soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-chen/there-are-a-lot-of-stereotypes-to-be-broken-which-i-think-a-lot-of-us/) [Joan Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-chen/) > [If I see a black kid in a hoodie and it's late at night, I'm walking to the other side of the street. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/if-i-see-a-black-kid-in-a-hoodie-and-it-s-late-at-night-i-m-walking/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [Every time you hear anyone talk about the Caribbean, whether it's Caribbeans themselves or people outside, there's always talk about women's bodies. Talk about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/every-time-you-hear-anyone-talk-about-the-caribbean-whether-it-s/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [Stereotypes have their roots in truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-walton-hamilton/stereotypes-have-their-roots-in-truth/) [Emma Walton Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-walton-hamilton/) > [Perhaps some are confused because they have stereotypes of how blacks should be and I respectfully decline, as I did in my youth, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/perhaps-some-are-confused-because-they-have-stereotypes-of-how-blacks/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [Yeah, I'm sure there are stereotypes of Asian people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/yeah-i-m-sure-there-are-stereotypes-of-asian-people/) [James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/) ## More by Louis C. K > [Technically, I've learned that having good legs and wind is good for being on stage. You have to be in shape and have endurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/technically-i-ve-learned-that-having-good-legs-and-wind-is-good-for/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I think I'm past any window where I'm suddenly going to become surprisingly ripped so that people go, 'Oh, my God, what happened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-think-i-m-past-any-window-where-i-m-suddenly-going-to-become/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I can feel how an audience is reacting when I'm on a stage, but when you are on stage, your perception is distorted. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-can-feel-how-an-audience-is-reacting-when-i-m-on-a-stage-but-when/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [“You need to develop the ability to just be yourself and not be doing something, that's what the phones are taking away. The ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/you-need-to-develop-the-ability-to-just-be-yourself-and-not-be-doing/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I know what it's like to have a bunch of material that's working that you don't care about. You want to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-know-what-it-s-like-to-have-a-bunch-of-material-that-s-working-that/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I just love learning. I think learning is how you live. The verb of my life is learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-just-love-learning-i-think-learning-is-how-you-live-the-verb-of-my/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [There's been a lot of simple vilification of right-wing people. It's really easy to say, 'Well, you're Christian, you're anti-this and that, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/there-s-been-a-lot-of-simple-vilification-of-right-wing-people-it-s/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [“A woman saying yes to a date with a man is literally insane and ill-advised, and the whole species' existence counts on them doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/a-woman-saying-yes-to-a-date-with-a-man-is-literally-insane-and-ill/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [When your kid is being selfish or greedy and you want to help them not be that way, you have to find a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/when-your-kid-is-being-selfish-or-greedy-and-you-want-to-help-them/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [You have to be really tenacious. You have to keep at it. There are many roads to get there. If you can get yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/you-have-to-be-really-tenacious-you-have-to-keep-at-it-there-are-many/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [When I take my kids out for dinner or lunch, people smile at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/when-i-take-my-kids-out-for-dinner-or-lunch-people-smile-at-us/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I'd love to have a shitty job. I couldn't hold any down. Standup was the only thing I could stick with. I'm an idiot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-d-love-to-have-a-shitty-job-i-couldn-t-hold-any-down-standup-was/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [There's no way you ask Sean Penn a question and then, you're gonna be HUGE !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/there-s-no-way-you-ask-sean-penn-a-question-and-then-you-re-gonna-be/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [If you had a jetpack you'd be like I have the shittiest jetpack. Who's your service provider on your jetpack? Did they make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/if-you-had-a-jetpack-you-d-be-like-i-have-the-shittiest-jetpack-who-s/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I spend enough time onscreen looking hangdog and depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-spend-enough-time-onscreen-looking-hangdog-and-depressed/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) [Explore all 282 Louis C. K quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) ## More Candy quotes > [“Most girls get flowers or candy. I get a declaration of martial law.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-shearin/most-girls-get-flowers-or-candy-i-get-a-declaration-of-martial-law/) [Lisa Shearin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-shearin/) > [I like Valentine's Day. The trouble is the florists and the candy-makers and the card people are all advertising so much, you don't dare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/i-like-valentine-s-day-the-trouble-is-the-florists-and-the-candy/) [Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/) > [“Did you know that at one time trick-or-treating was stopped? It's true. During World War II children were not allowed to trick or treat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-bozzo/did-you-know-that-at-one-time-trick-or-treating-was-stopped-it-s-true/) Linda Bozzo > [Love is like a piece of candy. You can buy it anywhere but given by the right person is what makes it special.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-a-piece-of-candy-you-can-buy-it-anywhere-but-given-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Two at a time, Vera ate her peanut M&Ms. Except for the red ones. These, she alleged, were made from the guts of dead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffanie-debartolo/two-at-a-time-vera-ate-her-peanut-m-ms-except-for-the-red-ones-these/) [Tiffanie DeBartolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffanie-debartolo/) > [DAMN YOU CANDY CRUSH!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/damn-you-candy-crush/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm one of those people. I can be sold by the candy in life, and then it can be stripped away within a split…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-ashcroft/i-m-one-of-those-people-i-can-be-sold-by-the-candy-in-life-and-then/) [Richard Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-ashcroft/) > [The truth is, one of the best things about being 15 years old is that things like candy are still exciting. Once you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/the-truth-is-one-of-the-best-things-about-being-15-years-old-is-that/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [“Goddamn sneaking candy thief found my cache" Peabody pursed her lips "You had candy in the file cabilnet." she angled her head "Under M?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jd-robb/goddamn-sneaking-candy-thief-found-my-cache-peabody-pursed-her-lips/) [JD Robb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jd-robb/) > [I remember candy rationing until I was, like, 7.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-curry/i-remember-candy-rationing-until-i-was-like-7/) [Tim Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-curry/) > [Dont expect someone to stay sweet forever because even the sweetest candy has an expiration date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-expect-someone-to-stay-sweet-forever-because-even-the-sweetest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of all the jaw-droppingly beautiful women who've become genuine movie stars, none has had a longer film career (62 years), has been filmed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-osborne/of-all-the-jaw-droppingly-beautiful-women-who-ve-become-genuine-movie/) [Robert Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-osborne/) > [“I haven’t had cotton candy in forever,” he said. “I’d forgotten how…sugary it is.” “It’s pure sugar.” “I wonder who invented it.” “I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hawthorne/i-haven-t-had-cotton-candy-in-forever-he-said-i-d-forgotten-how/) [Rachel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hawthorne/) > [Happy Sweetest Day! Who wants to be my sweetheart? Anyone? No? Okay, More candy for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happy-sweetest-day-who-wants-to-be-my-sweetheart-anyone-no-okay-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I feel like cotton candy: sugar and air. Squeeze me and I’d turn into a small sickly damp wad of weeping pinky-red. “I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-feel-like-cotton-candy-sugar-and-air-squeeze-me-and-i-d-turn-into-a/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) [Browse all 792 Candy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Why can't we have racism that's ignorant but nice? You could have stereotypes that are positive about race. You could say, \"Those Chinese people, they can fly!\" \"You know about the Puerto Ricans? They're made of candy!\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louis C. 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