--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only difference between [America] and…" description: "\"The only difference between [America] and South Africa, South Africa preaches separation and practices separation, America preaches integration and pra..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/malcolm-x-213_america_the-only-difference-between-america-and_1919083.jpg" --- # The only difference between \[America\] and South Africa… ![“The only difference between [America] and South Africa, South Africa preaches separation and practices separation, America preaches integration and practices segregation. This is the only difference, they don't practice what they preach, whereas South Africa practices and preaches the same thing.” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/malcolm-x-213_america_the-only-difference-between-america-and_1919083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/malcolm-x-213_america_the-only-difference-between-america-and_1919083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/074/malcolm-x-213_america_the-only-difference-between-america-and_1919083.jpg) > “The only difference between \[America\] and South Africa, South Africa preaches separation and practices separation, America preaches integration and practices segregation. This is the only difference, they don't practice what they preach, whereas South Africa practices and preaches the same thing.” [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. He highlights the hypocrisy of a nation that preaches equality but enforces segregation, contrasting it with another that both preaches and practices separation. **In simple terms:** America says equality but separates; South Africa separates and says it. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge contradictions between words and actions. Themes hypocrisy race politics justice Mood critical reflective Type political social commentary When to use this quote - political debate - activism - education - policy analysis Key Concepts civil rights social critique colonialism Questions to Reflect On - How do we hold societies accountable for their stated values? - What mechanisms can expose and correct such contradictions? A Different Perspective The critique may overlook systemic complexities and internal dissent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa/) [Africa Practices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa-practices-2935889/) [Africa Preaches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africa-preaches-2935890/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Difference America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-america-385056/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Integration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integration/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Segregation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/segregation/) [Segregation Difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/segregation-difference-2935888/) [Separation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation/) [Separation America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-america-2935891/) [South](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/south/) [South africa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/south-africa/) ## Related quotes > [The difference between de jure and de facto segregation is the difference between open, forthright bigotry and the shamefaced kind that works through unwritten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-chisholm/the-difference-between-de-jure-and-de-facto-segregation-is-the/) [Shirley Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-chisholm/) > [“The difference between America and England is that Americans think 100 years is a long time, while the English think 100 miles is a long way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earle-hitchner/the-difference-between-america-and-england-is-that-americans-think/) [Earle Hitchner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earle-hitchner/) > [Hillary's opponent, in his entire campaign, every two or three weeks has said for months and months and months, beginning in Nevada, that really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/hillary-s-opponent-in-his-entire-campaign-every-two-or-three-weeks/) [William J. 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The white child, although it has not committed any of the per - as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/just-take-the-negro-child-take-the-white-child-the-white-child/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [My beliefs are now one hundred percent against racism and segregation in any form and I also believe that we don't judge a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/my-beliefs-are-now-one-hundred-percent-against-racism-and-segregation/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [We don't go for segregation. We go for separation. Separation is when you have your own. You control your own economy; you control your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/we-don-t-go-for-segregation-we-go-for-separation-separation-is-when/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“Segregation is that which is forced upon inferiors by superiors. But separation is that which is done voluntarily, by two equals- for the good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/segregation-is-that-which-is-forced-upon-inferiors-by-superiors-but/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I am not a racist in any form whatsoever. I don't believe in any form of discrimination or segregation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-am-not-a-racist-in-any-form-whatsoever-i-don-t-believe-in-any-form/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) ## 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. 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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 Africa quotes > [“We ought to know the history of our ancient ancestors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-ought-to-know-the-history-of-our-ancient-ancestors/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Africa, being the major target of colonial plunder, therefore becomes a major source of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-horne/africa-being-the-major-target-of-colonial-plunder-therefore-becomes-a/) [Gerald Horne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-horne/) > [I'm in 'Madagascar 2.' 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Remember,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-bergin/there-s-a-place-in-botswana-where-there-are-100-000-elephants-living/) [Patrick Bergin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-bergin/) > [If you followed the media you'd think that everybody in Africa was starving to death, and that's not the case; so it's important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/if-you-followed-the-media-you-d-think-that-everybody-in-africa-was/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [Africa for the Africans... at home and abroad!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/africa-for-the-africans-at-home-and-abroad/) [Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/) > [In Africa, animals and the natural landscape allow local communities to support themselves, as there is a constant source of money from tourism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lidington/in-africa-animals-and-the-natural-landscape-allow-local-communities/) [David Lidington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lidington/) > [My mom is from Ghana, and my dad is from Detroit, so I would go back and forth to Africa a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-richardson/my-mom-is-from-ghana-and-my-dad-is-from-detroit-so-i-would-go-back/) [Sam Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-richardson/) > [I've never been invited to do an exhibition or do a talk in England, except once, about 10 years ago. 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