--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The black masses want not to be shrunk…" description: "\"The black masses want not to be shrunk from as though they are plague-ridden. They want not to be walled up in slums, in the ghettos, like animals. The..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/427/malcolm-x-213_animal_the-black-masses-want-not-to-be-shrunk-f_2733544.jpg" --- # The black masses want not to be shrunk from as though they… ![“The black masses want not to be shrunk from as though they are plague-ridden. They want not to be walled up in slums, in the ghettos, like animals. They want to live in an open, free society where they can walk with their heads up, like men, and women! Few white people realize that many black…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/427/malcolm-x-213_animal_the-black-masses-want-not-to-be-shrunk-f_2733544.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/427/malcolm-x-213_animal_the-black-masses-want-not-to-be-shrunk-f_2733544.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/427/malcolm-x-213_animal_the-black-masses-want-not-to-be-shrunk-f_2733544.jpg) > “The black masses want not to be shrunk from as though they are plague-ridden. They want not to be walled up in slums, in the ghettos, like animals. They want to live in an open, free society where they can walk with their heads up, like men, and women! Few white people realize that many black people today dislike and avoid spending more time than they must about white people. This 'integration' image, as it is popularly interpreted, has millions of vain, self-exalted white people convinced that black people want to sleep in bed with them - and that's a lie!” [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Black people desire dignity and open society, not confinement or false integration that serves white fantasies. **In simple terms:** Black people want respect, not token integration. Key Takeaway Support genuine equality, not superficial inclusion. Themes equality dignity integration Mood determined hopeful Type activist inspirational When to use this quote - community building - policy reform - education - media representation Key Concepts civil rights social justice Questions to Reflect On - How to ensure integration is authentic? - What barriers still exist? A Different Perspective Integration can be co‑opted for control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Bed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bed/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black Masses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-masses-936298/) [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Convinced](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/convinced/) [Dislike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dislike/) [Exalted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exalted/) [Free society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-society/) [Ghetto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghetto/) [Heads up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heads-up/) [Integration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integration/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Masses Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masses-want-2662602/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Millions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/millions/) [More time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more-time/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Integration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-integration-2865061/) [Plague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plague/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Slums](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slums/) [Spending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spending/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vain/) [Walks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walks/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want to sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-to-sleep/) [White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white/) [White people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-people/) ## Related quotes > [We're primarily interested in solving the problem of 20 million black people. And if integration is going to solve the problem tomorrow, then let's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/we-re-primarily-interested-in-solving-the-problem-of-20-million-black/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I cannot be made into the commentator for the unspoken black masses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-mcgruder/i-cannot-be-made-into-the-commentator-for-the-unspoken-black-masses/) [Aaron McGruder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-mcgruder/) > [Generals gathered in their masses, just like witches at black masses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-sabbath/generals-gathered-in-their-masses-just-like-witches-at-black-masses/) [Black Sabbath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-sabbath/) > [For decades, we've worked under the assumption that mass culture follows a steadily declining path toward lowest-common-denominator standards, presumably because the 'masses' want dumb,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-johnson/for-decades-we-ve-worked-under-the-assumption-that-mass-culture/) [Steven Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-johnson/) > [I kind of watch a guy like Aleister Black go around, and he does whatever he wants. He Black Masses whoever he wants. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gargano/i-kind-of-watch-a-guy-like-aleister-black-go-around-and-he-does/) [Johnny Gargano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gargano/) > [What the masses want are monuments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-drapeau/what-the-masses-want-are-monuments/) [Jean Drapeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-drapeau/) > [I believe the masses everywhere want peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-herzog/i-believe-the-masses-everywhere-want-peace/) [Isaac Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-herzog/) > [A Negro just can't be whipped by somebody white and return with his head up in the neighborhood, especially in those days, when sports…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/a-negro-just-can-t-be-whipped-by-somebody-white-and-return-with-his/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [ It's easy. \[Black man\] is - he's separate already. The fact that you have Harlem, the fact that you have the Negro ghetto and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/it-s-easy-black-man-is-he-s-separate-already-the-fact-that-you-have/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [The definition of adulthood is that you want to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/the-definition-of-adulthood-is-that-you-want-to-sleep/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I only want to sleep . . . and never wake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-grant/i-only-want-to-sleep-and-never-wake/) [Alan Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-grant/) > [You'll paint some nursery and the kid will want to sleep in a drawer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-magary/you-ll-paint-some-nursery-and-the-kid-will-want-to-sleep-in-a-drawer/) [Drew Magary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-magary/) > [I always want to sleep on the third date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-butler/i-always-want-to-sleep-on-the-third-date/) [Blake Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-butler/) > [I always say to young people, "Get the hell out of the United States." Especially if you're young, like if you're 21 or something.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-always-say-to-young-people-get-the-hell-out-of-the-united-states/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I want to sleep for eternity with a broad smile on my face. I want those who remain behind to say this man has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/i-want-to-sleep-for-eternity-with-a-broad-smile-on-my-face-i-want/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) ## More by Malcolm X > [If Christianity had asserted itself in Germany, six million Jews would have lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/if-christianity-had-asserted-itself-in-germany-six-million-jews-would/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Adam Clayton Powell's entire political career has to be looked at in the entire context of the American history and the history of, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/adam-clayton-powell-s-entire-political-career-has-to-be-looked-at-in/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [American civil rights leader, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Lynching is a murder. For the past four hundred years our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/american-civil-rights-leader-where-do-we-go-from-here-chaos-or/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Be nonviolent only with those who are nonviolent to you. And when you can bring me a nonviolent racist, bring me a nonviolent segregationist,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/be-nonviolent-only-with-those-who-are-nonviolent-to-you-and-when-you/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [You can't legislate good will - that comes through education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/you-can-t-legislate-good-will-that-comes-through-education/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/truth-is-on-the-side-of-the-oppressed-today-it-s-against-the-oppressor/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Those type of whites who are always going to jail with Negroes are the ones who tell Negroes to be loving and be kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/those-type-of-whites-who-are-always-going-to-jail-with-negroes-are/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [We Muslims believe that the white race, which is guilty of having oppressed and exploited and enslaved our people here in America, should and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/we-muslims-believe-that-the-white-race-which-is-guilty-of-having/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I mean a real police state just to get a token recognition of a law. It take, it took, I think, 15,000 troops and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-mean-a-real-police-state-just-to-get-a-token-recognition-of-a-law/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Like Samson, I am ready to pull down the white man's temple, knowing full well that I will be destroyed by the falling rubble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/like-samson-i-am-ready-to-pull-down-the-white-man-s-temple-knowing/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Any negro who occupies a position that was given to him by the white man, if you analyze his function, his function never enables…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/any-negro-who-occupies-a-position-that-was-given-to-him-by-the-white/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Stumbling is not falling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/stumbling-is-not-falling/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [God is going to punish the white man for his misdeeds toward black people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/god-is-going-to-punish-the-white-man-for-his-misdeeds-toward-black/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Much of what I say might sound like it's stirring up trouble, but it's the truth!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/much-of-what-i-say-might-sound-like-it-s-stirring-up-trouble-but-it-s/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I don't believe in wasting brotherhood on anyone who doesn't want to practice it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-believe-in-the-brotherhood-of-all-men-but-i-don-t-believe-in/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) [Explore all 891 Malcolm X quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The black masses want not to be shrunk from as though they are plague-ridden. They want not to be walled up in slums, in the ghettos, like animals. They want to live in an open, free society where they can walk with their heads up, like men, and women! Few white people realize that many black people today dislike and avoid spending more time than they must about white people. 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