--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Racial understanding is not something we…" description: "\"Racial understanding is not something we find, but something that we must create. Through education, we seek to change attitudes.\" — Martin Luther King..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png" --- # Racial understanding is not something we find, but… ![“Racial understanding is not something we find, but something that we must create. Through education, we seek to change attitudes.” quote by Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png) > “Racial understanding is not something we find, but something that we must create. Through education, we seek to change attitudes.” [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding race requires active creation, not passive discovery, via education that shifts attitudes. **In simple terms:** Racial understanding must be built, not found. Key Takeaway Educate to transform mindsets. Themes e education social justice Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational educational When to use this quote - schools - community workshops - policy training - media campaigns Key Concepts Systemic bias empathy transformative learning Questions to Reflect On - How can we measure attitude change? - What role does personal experience play? A Different Perspective Education alone cannot erase deep-rooted prejudice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful/) [Racial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racial/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [The ills of discrimination are still with us. We have to continue the tenacity and vigilance of the 1960s. Racial understanding is not something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-cole/the-ills-of-discrimination-are-still-with-us-we-have-to-continue-the/) [Thomas Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-cole/) > [If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you probably would design…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-medina/if-you-wanted-to-create-an-education-environment-that-was-directly/) [John Medina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-medina/) > [If you wanted to create an education environment that was directly opposed to what the brain was good at doing, you would probably design…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-medina/if-you-wanted-to-create-an-education-environment-that-was-directly-2/) [John Medina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-medina/) > [For me, being able to work with somebody who I don't have to translate my experience to all the time - that's important, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-pompeo/for-me-being-able-to-work-with-somebody-who-i-don-t-have-to-translate/) [Ellen Pompeo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-pompeo/) > [“Working as a white ally is tough, but certainly not impossible. Learning to listen is a virtue that whiteness has often avoided. I asked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/working-as-a-white-ally-is-tough-but-certainly-not-impossible/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [I think a domestic situation can change you and your attitudes. I suppose if you did get a bit content, then you might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/i-think-a-domestic-situation-can-change-you-and-your-attitudes-i/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [“We could spend weeks, months, even years laboring with the personality ethic trying to change our attitudes and behaviors and not even begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/we-could-spend-weeks-months-even-years-laboring-with-the-personality/) [Stephen R. Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-r-covey/) > [“You Can Change Your Attitudes By Changing Your Behavior.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-l-davis/you-can-change-your-attitudes-by-changing-your-behavior/) [Suzanne L. Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-l-davis/) > [ Since \[violence against women\] is rooted in discrimination, impunity and complacency, we need to change attitudes and behavior - and we need to change… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ban-ki-moon/since-violence-against-women-is-rooted-in-discrimination-impunity-and/) [Ban Ki-moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ban-ki-moon/) > [I hope that through my example, such as my role on 'The West Wing,' I can help change attitudes on deafness and prove we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marlee-matlin/i-hope-that-through-my-example-such-as-my-role-on-the-west-wing-i-can/) [Marlee Matlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marlee-matlin/) > [What is needed to break the vicious spiral is a world-wide change in attitudes, values, and social policy. As Einstein put it, We need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-wolcott-sperry/what-is-needed-to-break-the-vicious-spiral-is-a-world-wide-change-in/) [Roger Wolcott Sperry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-wolcott-sperry/) > [If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-want-to-change-attitudes-start-with-a-change-in-behavior/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you want to change attitudes, start with a change in behavior. In other words, begin to act the part, as well as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-glasser/if-you-want-to-change-attitudes-start-with-a-change-in-behavior-in/) [William Glasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-glasser/) > [“What starts the process are the laughs and snubs and slights that you get when you are a kid. But if you are reasonably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-starts-the-process-are-the-laughs-and-snubs-and-slights-that-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are in life as many aspects as attitudes towards it, and aspects change with attitudes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-mansfield/there-are-in-life-as-many-aspects-as-attitudes-towards-it-and-aspects/) [Katherine Mansfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-mansfield/) ## More by Martin Luther King, Jr > [The strong man holds in a living blend strongly marked opposites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-strong-man-holds-in-a-living-blend-strongly-marked-opposites/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race. ... We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/our-nation-was-born-in-genocide-when-it-embraced-the-doctrine-that/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Every genuine expression of love grows out of a consistent and total surrender to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/every-genuine-expression-of-love-grows-out-of-a-consistent-and-total/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I’ve been to the Mountaintop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-ve-been-to-the-mountaintop/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The supreme task is to organize and unite people so that their anger becomes a transforming force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-supreme-task-is-to-organize-and-unite-people-so-that-their-anger/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The great issue of life is to harness the drum major instinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-great-issue-of-life-is-to-harness-the-drum-major-instinct/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Somebody must have sense enough and morality enough to cut off the chain of hate and the chain of evil in the universe. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somebody-must-have-sense-enough-and-morality-enough-to-cut-off-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Darkness is only driven out with light, not more darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/darkness-is-only-driven-out-with-light-not-more-darkness/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [What seems so necessary today may not even be desirable tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/what-seems-so-necessary-today-may-not-even-be-desirable-tomorrow/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The Negro cannot win the respect of his oppressor by acquiescing; he merely increases the oppressor's arrogance and contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-negro-cannot-win-the-respect-of-his-oppressor-by-acquiescing-he/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The majority of the Negroes who took part in the year-long boycott of Montgomery's buses were poor and untutored; but they understood the essence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-majority-of-the-negroes-who-took-part-in-the-year-long-boycott-of/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity and is for the building of humanity, it has dignity and it has worth,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/whenever-you-are-engaged-in-work-that-serves-humanity-and-is-for-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-have-a-dream-that-one-day-even-the-state-of-mississippi-a-desert/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) [Explore all 1,210 Martin Luther King, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [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/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Racial understanding is not something we find, but something that we must create. Through education, we seek to change attitudes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martin Luther King, Jr" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/racial-understanding-is-not-something-we-find-but-something-that-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/racial-understanding-is-not-something-we-find-but-something-that-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b0f/martin-luther-king-jr-127_attitude_racial-understanding-is-not-something-we_1704019.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Racial understanding is not something we find, but something that we must create. Through education, we seek…” — Martin Luther King, Jr", "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": "Martin Luther King, Jr", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Racial understanding is not something we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/racial-understanding-is-not-something-we-find-but-something-that-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/racial-understanding-is-not-something-we-find-but-something-that-we/#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 } } ] } ```