--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up…" description: "\"When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when I'm in the sun I'm black, when I'm sick I'm black, when I die I'm black, and you...when you're ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg" --- # When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when… ![“When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when I'm in the sun I'm black, when I'm sick I'm black, when I die I'm black, and you...when you're born you're pink, when you grow up you're white, when you're cold you're blue, when you're sick you're green, when you die you're grey and you dare…” quote by Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg) > “When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when I'm in the sun I'm black, when I'm sick I'm black, when I die I'm black, and you...when you're born you're pink, when you grow up you're white, when you're cold you're blue, when you're sick you're green, when you die you're grey and you dare call me coloured.” [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. The speaker contrasts the static, unchanging nature of his own identity with the shifting, superficial labels imposed on others, highlighting the absurdity of racial categorization. **In simple terms:** He points out how his identity stays the same while others are labeled by changing colors. Key Takeaway Question the validity of superficial racial labels. Themes identity racism perception Mood provocative critical thought‑provoking Type analytical philosophical. When to use this quote - personal identity - racial discourse - social justice - education - media representation Key Concepts social construct color symbolism Questions to Reflect On - How do changing labels affect self‑perception? - Can we move beyond color as a primary identifier? A Different Perspective Labels can oversimplify complex human experiences and ignore deeper commonalities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue/) [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Coloured](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coloured/) [Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) [Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grey/) [Growing up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-up/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) ## Related quotes > [“When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when I'm in the sun I'm black, when I'm sick I'm black, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oglala-lakota/when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i-m-black-when-i-m-in-the-sun-2/) Oglala Lakota > [“This was a cruel world she had been born into, all pink and squirming. She'd never wanted to see reality. Now, like the cold,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kurtz/this-was-a-cruel-world-she-had-been-born-into-all-pink-and-squirming/) [Chris Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kurtz/) > [My mom wanted to make sure I was prepared to grow up with Black skin in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-gorman/my-mom-wanted-to-make-sure-i-was-prepared-to-grow-up-with-black-skin/) [Amanda Gorman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-gorman/) > [When I was a little kid I thought I would grow up to be black and sing jazz in nightclubs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ringwald/when-i-was-a-little-kid-i-thought-i-would-grow-up-to-be-black-and/) [Molly Ringwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ringwald/) > [“Revenge is an ugly seed, and once it's planted it soaks into your veins, feeding off your cells until they grow as black and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-sevilla/revenge-is-an-ugly-seed-and-once-it-s-planted-it-soaks-into-your/) [J.M. Sevilla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-sevilla/) > [“You know, Henry, we're the only people who get born into the enemy camp. I mean, black babies get born into black families, Jewish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-nava/you-know-henry-we-re-the-only-people-who-get-born-into-the-enemy-camp/) [Michael Nava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-nava/) > [My only crime was being born black - or being born black in Alabama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ray-hinton/my-only-crime-was-being-born-black-or-being-born-black-in-alabama/) [Anthony Ray Hinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ray-hinton/) > [There is a reason why one man is born black and with other disadvantages, while another is born white with great advantages. The reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fielding-smith/there-is-a-reason-why-one-man-is-born-black-and-with-other/) [Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fielding-smith/) > [Who can be born black and not exult!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mari-evans/who-can-be-born-black-and-not-exult/) [Mari Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mari-evans/) > [The idea of voluntary segregation went against every value I had been taught. What did being born black have to do with excellence?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dean-myers/the-idea-of-voluntary-segregation-went-against-every-value-i-had-been/) [Walter Dean Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dean-myers/) > [There was a while when I was feeling like, 'Damn, if I'd just been born black, I would not have to go through all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/there-was-a-while-when-i-was-feeling-like-damn-if-i-d-just-been-born/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [If you are born black, and you don't accept your natural status as a victim, then the validity of your blackness is immediately called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-owens/if-you-are-born-black-and-you-don-t-accept-your-natural-status-as-a/) [Candace Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-owens/) > [I was born black and female.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-hansberry/i-was-born-black-and-female/) [Lorraine Hansberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-hansberry/) > [I was born black in this country. Trust me, I've seen the government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-griffin/i-was-born-black-in-this-country-trust-me-i-ve-seen-the-government/) [Eddie Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-griffin/) > [I was born to a black childhood of confusion and poverty. The memory of that beginning influences my work today, It is impossible now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-parks/i-was-born-to-a-black-childhood-of-confusion-and-poverty-the-memory/) [Gordon Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-parks/) ## 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 Black quotes > [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [When you go to a club it's not about being black or white or heavy or thick. I'm shaking my ass because I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/when-you-go-to-a-club-it-s-not-about-being-black-or-white-or-heavy-or/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [The term "black metal" has become a lot looser, or can include a larger range of sounds and extra-musical aesthetics, not just Satan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-marston/the-term-black-metal-has-become-a-lot-looser-or-can-include-a-larger/) [Colin Marston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-marston/) > [How can you be more subject; black woman in a white man's world?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/how-can-you-be-more-subject-black-woman-in-a-white-man-s-world/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [We have to build our own power. We have to win every single political office we can, where we have a majority of black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-lou-hamer/we-have-to-build-our-own-power-we-have-to-win-every-single-political/) [Fannie Lou Hamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-lou-hamer/) > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Black music has always known, and not been afraid to acknowledge just how high the stakes of Black thought are. To summarize the final…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-b-wilderson-iii/black-music-has-always-known-and-not-been-afraid-to-acknowledge-just/) Frank B. Wilderson III > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [If soot stains your tunic, dye it black. This is vengeance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-scott-bakker/if-soot-stains-your-tunic-dye-it-black-this-is-vengeance/) [R. Scott Bakker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-scott-bakker/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [Nowadays most people wear black most of the time anyway: go to a literary party and one would imagine everyone there was in perpetual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-weldon/nowadays-most-people-wear-black-most-of-the-time-anyway-go-to-a/) [Fay Weldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-weldon/) > [There ain't no such thing as black Muslims. That's how they tried to cut off all my brothers in the rest of the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/there-ain-t-no-such-thing-as-black-muslims-that-s-how-they-tried-to/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) Browse all 11,655 Black quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when I'm in the sun I'm black, when I'm sick I'm black, when I die I'm black, and you...when you're born you're pink, when you grow up you're white, when you're cold you're blue, when you're sick you're green, when you die you're grey and you dare call me coloured.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Malcolm X" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i-m-black-when-i-m-in-the-sun/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Black" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i-m-black-when-i-m-in-the-sun/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e80/malcolm-x-213_black_when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i_228926.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I'm born I'm black, when I grow up I'm black, when I'm in the sun I'm black, when I'm sick I'm black…” — 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": "When I'm born I'm black, when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i-m-black-when-i-m-in-the-sun/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/when-i-m-born-i-m-black-when-i-grow-up-i-m-black-when-i-m-in-the-sun/#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 } } ] } ```