--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Twenty-two million African-Americans…" description: "\"Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what we are - Africans who are in America.\" — Malcolm X" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg" --- # Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what we are… ![“Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what we are - Africans who are in America.” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg) > “Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what we are - Africans who are in America.” [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. African-Americans share a lineage with Africa, emphasizing a collective identity rooted in heritage despite diaspora. **In simple terms:** African-Americans share African roots, forming a collective identity. Key Takeaway Recognize shared heritage. Themes identity heritage diaspora Mood proud determined Type historical motivational When to use this quote - civil rights activism - educational programs - community organizing Key Concepts Pan-Africanism racial solidarity Questions to Reflect On - How does heritage shape your identity? - What role does diaspora play today? A Different Perspective May oversimplify diverse experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [African americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-americans/) [Africans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africans/) [Africans America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/africans-america-471354/) [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Americans Africans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-africans-471353/) [Million African](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/million-african-471355/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [22 million African-Americans - that's what we are - Africans who are in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/22-million-african-americans-that-s-what-we-are-africans-who-are-in/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [We inadvertently keep oppressing Africans when we label them by an approximated color - and even when we confuse a specific socio-cultural group such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-martin-skibsted/we-inadvertently-keep-oppressing-africans-when-we-label-them-by-an/) [Jens Martin Skibsted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-martin-skibsted/) > [I think we're going to care more about Americans than Africans. I don't think that's ever going to go away, and I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bloom/i-think-we-re-going-to-care-more-about-americans-than-africans-i-don/) [Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bloom/) > [We're not Americans, we're Africans who happen to be in America. We were kidnapped and brought here against our will from Africa. We didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/we-re-not-americans-we-re-africans-who-happen-to-be-in-america-we/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“Most people write me off when they see me. They do not know my story. They say I am just an African. They judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idowu-koyenikan/most-people-write-me-off-when-they-see-me-they-do-not-know-my-story/) [idowu koyenikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idowu-koyenikan/) > [“In addition, the most reliable and recent studies of African tribal culture demonstrated that slavery was a long-standing custom among the Africans themselves, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-j-ellis/in-addition-the-most-reliable-and-recent-studies-of-african-tribal/) [Joseph J. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-j-ellis/) > [Irish Americans are no more Irish than Black Americans are Africans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-geldof/irish-americans-are-no-more-irish-than-black-americans-are-africans/) [Bob Geldof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-geldof/) > [“Our endurance and suffering made us stronger than they can imagine. We became so strong that it takes only one of our own to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/our-endurance-and-suffering-made-us-stronger-than-they-can-imagine-we/) [De philosopher DJ Kyos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/) > [“...(I)t can be stated that the spread of the ideology connecting Africa and black people in general with the Jews has been spectacular. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tudor-parfitt/i-t-can-be-stated-that-the-spread-of-the-ideology-connecting-africa/) [Tudor Parfitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tudor-parfitt/) > [The 22 million or 30 million, whatever the case may be, Afro-Americans in the United States were still Africans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-22-million-or-30-million-whatever-the-case-may-be-afro-americans/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [“He (Zerubavel) draws attention to the social influences on perception (what people notice), attention and concern (what people care about), classification (how people categorize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-griswold/he-zerubavel-draws-attention-to-the-social-influences-on-perception/) [Wendy Griswold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-griswold/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [“Alabama in 1927 alone, 27,701 men were arrested on misdemeanor charges and offered for sale by county sheriffs. In Blackmon’s estimation, “roughly half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-haney-l-pez/alabama-in-1927-alone-27-701-men-were-arrested-on-misdemeanor-charges/) [Ian Haney López](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-haney-l-pez/) > [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. So sometimes, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/it-may-be-changing-but-still-it-s-the-one-place-that-total-control-of/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) ## 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 African american quotes > [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/) [Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/) > [I grew up in Synagogue in the boys' choir. We didn't listen to music in the house; only at temple. Then I went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-patinkin/i-grew-up-in-synagogue-in-the-boys-choir-we-didn-t-listen-to-music-in/) [Mandy Patinkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-patinkin/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [There could be no more powerful argument against mixing religion and government than the success of independent African American churches in placing racial segregation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/there-could-be-no-more-powerful-argument-against-mixing-religion-and/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [“This popularity extended to Trump himself, who, according to private demographic research conducted at the time, was even more popular with African American and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-green/this-popularity-extended-to-trump-himself-who-according-to-private/) [Joshua Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-green/) > [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/) > [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-mehlman/some-republicans-gave-up-on-winning-the-african-american-vote-looking/) [Ken Mehlman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-mehlman/) > [It's unfortunate that a lot of people think African-American female artists are monolithically R&B this-or-that, don't have to do anything by default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/it-s-unfortunate-that-a-lot-of-people-think-african-american-female/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [Whereas our ancestors (not of choice) were the first successful cultivators of the wilds of America, we their descendants feel ourselves entitled to participate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen/whereas-our-ancestors-not-of-choice-were-the-first-successful/) [Richard Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen/) > [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. 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And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) [Browse all 1,848 African american quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what we are - Africans who are in America.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Malcolm X" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/twenty-two-million-african-americans-that-s-what-we-are-africans-who/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "African american" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/twenty-two-million-african-americans-that-s-what-we-are-africans-who/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/399/malcolm-x-213_african-american_twenty-two-million-african-americans-tha_2439205.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what we are - Africans who are in America.” — Malcolm X", "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": "Malcolm X", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Twenty-two million African-Americans - that's what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/twenty-two-million-african-americans-that-s-what-we-are-africans-who/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/twenty-two-million-african-americans-that-s-what-we-are-africans-who/#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 } } ] } ```