--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What Harlem is, is constantly changing…" description: "\"“What Harlem is, is constantly changing. It is a place that comes at you like a duet or a trio. Some avenues reveal a quartet of interest, while on sid..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png" --- # What Harlem is, is constantly changing. It is a place that… ![“What Harlem is, is constantly changing. It is a place that comes at you like a duet or a trio. Some avenues reveal a quartet of interest, while on side streets, a soloist steps out and breaks into song. Harlem is Langston. Harlem is allure. Harlem is jazz. Harlem is my wife, standing on an avenue…” quote by Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png) > ““What Harlem is, is constantly changing. It is a place that comes at you like a duet or a trio. Some avenues reveal a quartet of interest, while on side streets, a soloist steps out and breaks into song. Harlem is Langston. Harlem is allure. Harlem is jazz. Harlem is my wife, standing on an avenue with chickpea flour perched on her head. 'Come on, Marcus, let's hurry.' We walk as if we are hungry and destined. Harlem is love. And strife. And sorrow. Harlem is art. Harlem is the Apollo and the young woman who stands inside thinking, I'm going to get this. Harlem is poverty. Harlem is wealth. Harlem is America. Harlem is my home.”” [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Harlem is a dynamic, multifaceted community where culture, history, struggle, and hope coexist, shaping personal and collective identity. **In simple terms:** Harlem is ever‑changing, full of music, art, and contrast. Key Takeaway Embrace the complexity of place and its influence on you. Themes culture identity contrast community art Mood reflective hopeful complex Type descriptive inspirational poetic When to use this quote - Culinary exploration - urban planning - community storytelling - social activism Key Concepts Urban sociology cultural hybridity gentrification resilience Questions to Reflect On - How does Harlem’s diversity shape your sense of belonging? - What responsibilities arise from celebrating a community’s struggles? A Different Perspective Harlem’s challenges can be romanticized, overlooking systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America Harlem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-harlem-2284510/) [Harlem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harlem/) [Harlem America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harlem-america-2284509/) [Harlem Home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harlem-home-2284508/) [Song Harlem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song-harlem-2284511/) [Young woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-woman/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest acts in colored show business had long made Harlem their home and favorite stamping ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethel-waters/the-greatest-acts-in-colored-show-business-had-long-made-harlem-their/) [Ethel Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethel-waters/) > [“... Harlem was home; was where we belonged; where we knew and were known in return; where we felt most alive; where, if need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ossie-davis/harlem-was-home-was-where-we-belonged-where-we-knew-and-were-known-in/) [Ossie Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ossie-davis/) > [I've lived all over the world, but Harlem is very special to me, and when I decided to open a restaurant near my home,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-ve-lived-all-over-the-world-but-harlem-is-very-special-to-me-and/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I am a chef through and through. Everything I do - whether it is cooking for kids in Harlem or cooking in a fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-am-a-chef-through-and-through-everything-i-do-whether-it-is-cooking/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“I spent so much of my life on the outside that I began to doubt that I would ever truly be in with any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-spent-so-much-of-my-life-on-the-outside-that-i-began-to-doubt-that/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Finding creative and effective ways to simultaneously give back and economically empower people is something that is increasingly important. Not everyone can open a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/finding-creative-and-effective-ways-to-simultaneously-give-back-and/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I had seen the photographs of Harlem in its glory days, stylish men in bespoke suits, women so well dressed that they'd put the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-had-seen-the-photographs-of-harlem-in-its-glory-days-stylish-men-in/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [What makes Harlem special is that at any given time, food seekers can not only find food deeply rooted in Southern, Latin and African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-makes-harlem-special-is-that-at-any-given-time-food-seekers-can/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“Right now, Harlem is delicious. On the corner of 125th and Frederick Douglass Avenue, I turn my head south and see Little Senegal steeped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/right-now-harlem-is-delicious-on-the-corner-of-125th-and-frederick/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I'm lucky to live in New York, a city that offers so many options for lunch. I can pick up dumplings from a Midtown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-lucky-to-live-in-new-york-a-city-that-offers-so-many-options-for/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [“Right now in Harlem, for every bank and chicken wing franchise joint, there is a small business owner who has spent a decade trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/right-now-in-harlem-for-every-bank-and-chicken-wing-franchise-joint/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I'm engaged in food on so many levels, and I love that. So my work, my craft, is around food, and writing is one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-engaged-in-food-on-so-many-levels-and-i-love-that-so-my-work-my/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [In Africa, you have no clean water, but you have good food options. In Harlem, everyone can shower and get fresh water, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/in-africa-you-have-no-clean-water-but-you-have-good-food-options-in/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Harlem is not a playground for rich bankers and consultants. It's got students of all colors. It's got old people who keep history and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/harlem-is-not-a-playground-for-rich-bankers-and-consultants-it-s-got/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Living at the YMCA in Harlem dramatically broadened my view of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-baker-motley/living-at-the-ymca-in-harlem-dramatically-broadened-my-view-of-the/) [Constance Baker Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-baker-motley/) ## More by Marcus Samuelsson > [Criticism is part of the creative man's journey, and I appreciate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/criticism-is-part-of-the-creative-man-s-journey-and-i-appreciate-it/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [We can all agree that government cant solve the obesity crisis alone. Its an ongoing issue that will require a collaborative effort across private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/we-can-all-agree-that-government-cant-solve-the-obesity-crisis-alone/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [While most individuals use the flesh of the coconut in their cooking, coconut water and oil are also known to have numerous health benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/while-most-individuals-use-the-flesh-of-the-coconut-in-their-cooking/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [For many sports fans, the onset of fall only means one thing: It's football season!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/for-many-sports-fans-the-onset-of-fall-only-means-one-thing-it-s/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [There are so many times there could have been a left turn instead of a right turn in all people's lives. I think mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/there-are-so-many-times-there-could-have-been-a-left-turn-instead-of/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I stand behind everything I've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-stand-behind-everything-i-ve-done/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I'm lucky to live in New York, a city that offers so many options for lunch. I can pick up dumplings from a Midtown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-lucky-to-live-in-new-york-a-city-that-offers-so-many-options-for/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Thanksgiving is one of my favorite American traditions. I quickly picked it up when I moved to the U.S. from Sweden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/thanksgiving-is-one-of-my-favorite-american-traditions-i-quickly/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [Although I believe affection and romance should be shown all year around, it's always smart to have a good plan up your sleeve for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/although-i-believe-affection-and-romance-should-be-shown-all-year/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I would love to take a cooking class from Gandhi. Maybe I could teach him how to cook, and he could teach me his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-would-love-to-take-a-cooking-class-from-gandhi-maybe-i-could-teach/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I get so tickled when that pilot happens to be an African American because I rarely see that. The same is true when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-get-so-tickled-when-that-pilot-happens-to-be-an-african-american/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [It's key to know which essential foods will keep you going and help your body recover after hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/it-s-key-to-know-which-essential-foods-will-keep-you-going-and-help/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I love using rice as a flour; I'll grind roasted rice and dip fish in that. It gives a beautiful, crunchy texture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-love-using-rice-as-a-flour-i-ll-grind-roasted-rice-and-dip-fish-in/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [The Swedish Christmas is definitely unique, even throughout Scandinavia. Like Christmas everywhere, it's a very family-centered holiday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/the-swedish-christmas-is-definitely-unique-even-throughout/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I am many different things, and that is why I am so proud to be American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-am-many-different-things-and-that-is-why-i-am-so-proud-to-be/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) [Explore all 193 Marcus Samuelsson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) ## More Harlem quotes > [Living at the YMCA in Harlem dramatically broadened my view of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-baker-motley/living-at-the-ymca-in-harlem-dramatically-broadened-my-view-of-the/) [Constance Baker Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-baker-motley/) > [Nonresidents have a tendency to rush their visits to Harlem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-gondelman/nonresidents-have-a-tendency-to-rush-their-visits-to-harlem/) [Josh Gondelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-gondelman/) > [I grew up in Harlem. My grandmother was one of the best cooks around, but the first thing she did on Sunday mornings when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carmona/i-grew-up-in-harlem-my-grandmother-was-one-of-the-best-cooks-around/) [Richard Carmona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carmona/) > [Harlem World' is all about me doing my thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mase/harlem-world-is-all-about-me-doing-my-thing/) [Mase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mase/) > [Here - at this final hour, Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes - extinguished now, and gone from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ossie-davis/here-at-this-final-hour-harlem-has-come-to-bid-farewell-to-one-of-its/) [Ossie Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ossie-davis/) > [Harlem has always been the nexus of music, politics, culture, criminal figures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/harlem-has-always-been-the-nexus-of-music-politics-culture-criminal/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [It was something that came sort of matter-of-factually. Because there - it's like really - real honest engagement with the people around me and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kehinde-wiley/it-was-something-that-came-sort-of-matter-of-factually-because-there/) [Kehinde Wiley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kehinde-wiley/) > [I haven't seen a professional player come out of New York in over 20 years since my brother Patrick came out. Blake spent a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcenroe/i-haven-t-seen-a-professional-player-come-out-of-new-york-in-over-20/) [John McEnroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcenroe/) > [If I go up to Harlem or down to Sixth Street, and I'm not dressed up or I'm not wearing my jewelry, then the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-astor/if-i-go-up-to-harlem-or-down-to-sixth-street-and-i-m-not-dressed-up/) [Brooke Astor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-astor/) > [I'm lucky to live in New York, a city that offers so many options for lunch. I can pick up dumplings from a Midtown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-m-lucky-to-live-in-new-york-a-city-that-offers-so-many-options-for/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) > [I would say 'Harlem World' is a cult and at the end we're gonna have everybody believin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mase/i-would-say-harlem-world-is-a-cult-and-at-the-end-we-re-gonna-have/) [Mase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mase/) > [The riot isn't seen in the movie, but it is alluded to. He has this one speech that gives a great sense of texture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-allen/the-riot-isn-t-seen-in-the-movie-but-it-is-alluded-to-he-has-this-one/) [Debbie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-allen/) > [I've been able to provide for my family, move out of Harlem and travel the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-east/i-ve-been-able-to-provide-for-my-family-move-out-of-harlem-and-travel/) [Dave East](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-east/) > [Now do the HARLEM SHAKE!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlem-shake/now-do-the-harlem-shake/) [Harlem Shake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlem-shake/) > [I'm grateful for my health, glad I'm making people laugh, glad my wife still likes me after a lotta years, grateful my daughter is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-alan-basche/i-m-grateful-for-my-health-glad-i-m-making-people-laugh-glad-my-wife/) [David Alan Basche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-alan-basche/) [Browse all 279 Harlem quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harlem/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What Harlem is, is constantly changing. It is a place that comes at you like a duet or a trio. Some avenues reveal a quartet of interest, while on side streets, a soloist steps out and breaks into song. Harlem is Langston. Harlem is allure. Harlem is jazz. Harlem is my wife, standing on an avenue with chickpea flour perched on her head. 'Come on, Marcus, let's hurry.' We walk as if we are hungry and destined. Harlem is love. And strife. And sorrow. Harlem is art. Harlem is the Apollo and the young woman who stands inside thinking, I'm going to get this. Harlem is poverty. Harlem is wealth. Harlem is America. Harlem is my home.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marcus Samuelsson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it-is-a-place-that-comes-at-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Harlem" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it-is-a-place-that-comes-at-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6c/marcus-samuelsson-1990_harlem_what-harlem-is-is-constantly-changing-it_2642867.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What Harlem is, is constantly changing. 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