--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: San Franciscans would have sworn on the…" description: "\"“San Franciscans would have sworn on the Golden Gate Bridge that racism was missing from the heart of their air-conditioned city. But they would have b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/maya-angelou-104_golden-gate-bridge_san-franciscans-would-have-sworn-on-the_2436635.jpg" --- # San Franciscans would have sworn on the Golden Gate Bridge… ![“San Franciscans would have sworn on the Golden Gate Bridge that racism was missing from the heart of their air-conditioned city. But they would have been sadly mistaken. A story went the rounds about a San Franciscan white matron who refused to sit beside a Negro civilian on the streetcar, even…” quote by Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/maya-angelou-104_golden-gate-bridge_san-franciscans-would-have-sworn-on-the_2436635.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/maya-angelou-104_golden-gate-bridge_san-franciscans-would-have-sworn-on-the_2436635.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b52/maya-angelou-104_golden-gate-bridge_san-franciscans-would-have-sworn-on-the_2436635.jpg) > ““San Franciscans would have sworn on the Golden Gate Bridge that racism was missing from the heart of their air-conditioned city. But they would have been sadly mistaken. A story went the rounds about a San Franciscan white matron who refused to sit beside a Negro civilian on the streetcar, even after he made room for her on the seat. Her explanation was that she would not sit beside a draft dodger who was a Negro as well. She added that the least he could do was fight for his country the way her son was fighting on Iwo Jima. The story said that the man pulled his body away from the window to show an armless sleeve. He said quietly and with great dignity, “Then ask your son to look around for my arm, which I left over there.”” [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The anecdote exposes how racism can be rationalized through false equivalences, revealing deep hypocrisy in moral judgments. **In simple terms:** Racism hides behind twisted logic. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge hidden biases. Themes racism hypocrisy morality identity justice Mood reflective critical somber Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - public discourse - education - community dialogue - policy making Key Concepts social critique moral paradox historical context Questions to Reflect On - How do we confront subtle racism in everyday life? - What moral standards should guide our judgments? A Different Perspective The story may oversimplify complex social dynamics, risking reductionism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Golden gate bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-gate-bridge/) [Iwo jima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iwo-jima/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [A story went the rounds about a San Franciscan white matron who refused to sit beside a Negro civilian on the streetcar, even after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/a-story-went-the-rounds-about-a-san-franciscan-white-matron-who/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“His day is done. Is done. The news came on the wings of a wind, reluctant to carry its burden. Nelson Mandela’s day is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/his-day-is-done-is-done-the-news-came-on-the-wings-of-a-wind/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Nearly everybody in San Francisco writes poetry. Few San Franciscans would admit this, but most of them would rather like to have their productions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-benson/nearly-everybody-in-san-francisco-writes-poetry-few-san-franciscans/) [Stella Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-benson/) > [But living in uncertain times does not mean San Franciscans must live in fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/but-living-in-uncertain-times-does-not-mean-san-franciscans-must-live/) [Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/) > [“Like so many other San Franciscans whose paycheck isn't tied to an app or a private bus ride to the Peninsula, you wait to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-villalon/like-so-many-other-san-franciscans-whose-paycheck-isn-t-tied-to-an/) Oscar Villalon > [San Franciscans are very proud of their city, and they should be. It’s the most beautiful place in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/san-franciscans-are-very-proud-of-their-city-and-they-should-be-it-s/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [San Franciscans know we live in the most beautiful city in the world, a jewel on the edge of the Golden Gate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/san-franciscans-know-we-live-in-the-most-beautiful-city-in-the-world/) [Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/) > [We have to be bold and serve all San Franciscans who are struggling to afford housing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/we-have-to-be-bold-and-serve-all-san-franciscans-who-are-struggling/) [London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/) > [San Franciscans have a bond of self-satisfaction bordering on smugness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-caen/san-franciscans-have-a-bond-of-self-satisfaction-bordering-on-smugness/) [Herb Caen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-caen/) > [Historically, San Franciscans have not valued street trees as much as other communities have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/historically-san-franciscans-have-not-valued-street-trees-as-much-as/) [Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/) > [As Mayor of San Francisco, I will work hard to ensure that, in the event of natural or man-made disasters, San Franciscans are prepared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/as-mayor-of-san-francisco-i-will-work-hard-to-ensure-that-in-the/) [Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/) > [We share common values as San Franciscans: we help each other; we welcome newcomers; we innovate and learn; we focus on facts; we work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/we-share-common-values-as-san-franciscans-we-help-each-other-we/) [London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/) > [“One soft humid early spring morning driving a winding road across Mount Tamalpais, the 2,500-foot mountain just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/one-soft-humid-early-spring-morning-driving-a-winding-road-across/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [My parents wielded disposal cameras and Polaroids with the best of them, occasionally begging for at least one decent photo of my brother and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pilon/my-parents-wielded-disposal-cameras-and-polaroids-with-the-best-of/) [Mary Pilon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pilon/) > [“Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, at high speed, her eyes fixed on the road, Abigail asked, a little loudly above the hum, 'Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-hill/crossing-the-golden-gate-bridge-at-high-speed-her-eyes-fixed-on-the/) Lindsay Hill ## More by Maya Angelou > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [You should be angry. You must not be bitter. Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-should-be-angry-you-must-not-be-bitter-bitterness-is-like-cancer/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“You are very kind and very intelligent and those elements are not always found together. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-are-very-kind-and-very-intelligent-and-those-elements-are-not/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [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/) > [You want me to do something... tell me I can't do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-want-me-to-do-something-tell-me-i-can-t-do-it/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Intelligence is a separate gift, for the benefit of students, so that they may think of themselves as intellectual and not very intelligent, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/intelligence-is-a-separate-gift-for-the-benefit-of-students-so-that/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Life is going to give you just what you put in it. Put your whole heart in everything you do, and pray, then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/life-is-going-to-give-you-just-what-you-put-in-it-put-your-whole/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may tread me in the very dirt But still, like dust,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-may-write-me-down-in-history-with-your-bitter-twisted-lies-you/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-more-you-know-of-your-history-the-more-liberated-you-are/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Life offers us tickets to places which we have not knowingly asked for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/life-offers-us-tickets-to-places-which-we-have-not-knowingly-asked-for/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/every-person-needs-to-take-one-day-away-a-day-in-which-one/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I'm working at trying to be a Christian, and that's serious business. It's like trying to be a good Jew, a good Muslim, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-m-working-at-trying-to-be-a-christian-and-that-s-serious-business/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Nathaniel Hawthorne once said that easy reading is damn hard writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/nathaniel-hawthorne-once-said-that-easy-reading-is-damn-hard-writing/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Sunday, if I'm lucky, I'll go to church or listen to some good spiritual advice on the television or on the radio. I take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/sunday-if-i-m-lucky-i-ll-go-to-church-or-listen-to-some-good/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) [Explore all 1,313 Maya Angelou quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) ## More Golden gate bridge quotes > [“Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, at high speed, her eyes fixed on the road, Abigail asked, a little loudly above the hum, 'Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-hill/crossing-the-golden-gate-bridge-at-high-speed-her-eyes-fixed-on-the/) Lindsay Hill > [My parents wielded disposal cameras and Polaroids with the best of them, occasionally begging for at least one decent photo of my brother and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pilon/my-parents-wielded-disposal-cameras-and-polaroids-with-the-best-of/) [Mary Pilon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pilon/) > [“One soft humid early spring morning driving a winding road across Mount Tamalpais, the 2,500-foot mountain just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/one-soft-humid-early-spring-morning-driving-a-winding-road-across/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [“Before they were done, he'd bought her tons of new clothes, underwear, perfume-because a saleslady had accosted them and he decided she definitely needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-faegen/before-they-were-done-he-d-bought-her-tons-of-new-clothes-underwear/) [Trinity Faegen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-faegen/) > [See them other chicken heads? They don't never leave the coop I'm in the coupe cruising, I got the stolen plates Serving all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kreayshawn/see-them-other-chicken-heads-they-don-t-never-leave-the-coop-i-m-in/) [Kreayshawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kreayshawn/) > [“Golden Gate Bridge in Marin”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-siegel/golden-gate-bridge-in-marin/) [Sheldon Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-siegel/) > [“And Whoever is in charge of all this will walk with us, and will help us to sort out the mysteries and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-lynn-pearson/and-whoever-is-in-charge-of-all-this-will-walk-with-us-and-will-help/) [Carol Lynn Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-lynn-pearson/) > [“each other in Marin County in Larkspur, which is about ten miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge. Larkspur’s eleven thousand residents”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-siegel/each-other-in-marin-county-in-larkspur-which-is-about-ten-miles-north/) [Sheldon Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-siegel/) > [“What I failed to see was that, by ending my life, I would cause interminable pain to my family and friends. I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hines/what-i-failed-to-see-was-that-by-ending-my-life-i-would-cause/) Kevin Hines > [Running gives me a clearer perspective on the world ... I've always seen the world by running, and that has allowed me to view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grete-waitz/running-gives-me-a-clearer-perspective-on-the-world-i-ve-always-seen/) [Grete Waitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grete-waitz/) > [My slightly scary moment while travelling was when I decided to run across the Golden Gate Bridge in California. The weather was unbearably cold,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-dutta/my-slightly-scary-moment-while-travelling-was-when-i-decided-to-run/) [Nikita Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-dutta/) > [I've got one of those over-stuffed leather chairs from the Pottery Barn. It faces north. I live in San Francisco, so there's the Golden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rowe/i-ve-got-one-of-those-over-stuffed-leather-chairs-from-the-pottery/) [Mike Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rowe/) > [“there is some evidence that governments are getting even more sluggish. It took America four years to build the Golden Gate Bridge, starting in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-micklethwait/there-is-some-evidence-that-governments-are-getting-even-more/) [John Micklethwait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-micklethwait/) > [“So many people talk about the Golden Gate bridge, but I would bet they haven't seen the new Sava River Bridge. It has long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poppet/so-many-people-talk-about-the-golden-gate-bridge-but-i-would-bet-they/) Poppet > [Animation had been used only for things like King Kong and the destruction of cities, which was very popular in the 1950s. I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-harryhausen/animation-had-been-used-only-for-things-like-king-kong-and-the/) [Ray Harryhausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-harryhausen/) [Browse all 33 Golden gate bridge quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden-gate-bridge/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“San Franciscans would have sworn on the Golden Gate Bridge that racism was missing from the heart of their air-conditioned city. But they would have been sadly mistaken. A story went the rounds about a San Franciscan white matron who refused to sit beside a Negro civilian on the streetcar, even after he made room for her on the seat. Her explanation was that she would not sit beside a draft dodger who was a Negro as well. She added that the least he could do was fight for his country the way her son was fighting on Iwo Jima. The story said that the man pulled his body away from the window to show an armless sleeve. 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