--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact that I was African American was…" description: "\"The fact that I was African American was never addressed, and that allowed me to just be a student, like anyone else. I was not aware of how rare it wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/misty-copeland-2012_african-american_the-fact-that-i-was-african-american-was_402545.png" --- # The fact that I was African American was never addressed… ![“The fact that I was African American was never addressed, and that allowed me to just be a student, like anyone else. I was not aware of how rare it was to be an African American, how rare it was to have four years of training under my belt, and how, even though I could imitate people and fake it…” quote by Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/misty-copeland-2012_african-american_the-fact-that-i-was-african-american-was_402545.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/misty-copeland-2012_african-american_the-fact-that-i-was-african-american-was_402545.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/164/misty-copeland-2012_african-american_the-fact-that-i-was-african-american-was_402545.png) > “The fact that I was African American was never addressed, and that allowed me to just be a student, like anyone else. I was not aware of how rare it was to be an African American, how rare it was to have four years of training under my belt, and how, even though I could imitate people and fake it, unprepared I was to become a professional.” [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She notes that her race was never highlighted, allowing her to focus on being a student like anyone else, highlighting the invisibility of privilege and the challenges of navigating identity. **In simple terms:** Her African American identity was unseen, letting her learn without bias. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden privileges and address them. Themes identity privilege education race self-awareness Mood thoughtful inspirational Type interview motivational When to use this quote - college - professional training - career advancement - performance arts Key Concepts Systemic bias invisibility self-actualization Questions to Reflect On - How does invisibility affect personal growth? - What steps can institutions take to acknowledge and support minority students? A Different Perspective Ignoring race can mask systemic inequities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-american/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a dad, I'm a husband, I'm an activist, I'm a writer and I'm just a student of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-fox/i-m-a-dad-i-m-a-husband-i-m-an-activist-i-m-a-writer-and-i-m-just-a/) [Michael J. Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-fox/) > [“It's just that every now and then there's a student who comes from a challenging family background, and you know there's nothing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/it-s-just-that-every-now-and-then-there-s-a-student-who-comes-from-a/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [I'm just a student. I'm learning all the time, and, like anyone, I'm just looking for words I can use and a hummable melody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gord-downie/i-m-just-a-student-i-m-learning-all-the-time-and-like-anyone-i-m-just/) [Gord Downie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gord-downie/) > [“I was born scientist but my school turned me into just student”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-dhameliya/i-was-born-scientist-but-my-school-turned-me-into-just-student/) [Vijay Dhameliya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-dhameliya/) > [One expect summed it up by saying: "Trying to cure traffic congestion by building more roads is like trying to cure obesity by loosening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-b-sandalow/one-expect-summed-it-up-by-saying-trying-to-cure-traffic-congestion/) David B. Sandalow > [I ended up training only for four years before I was accepted into American Ballet Theater in New York City.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-ended-up-training-only-for-four-years-before-i-was-accepted-into/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [But we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the programme of life's morning — for what was great in the morning will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/but-we-cannot-live-the-afternoon-of-life-according-to-the-programme/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [I will not go into a story unprepared. 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Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [I don't think people ever were free of fear of death, but clinging to life and being so unprepared for it is a modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-butler/i-don-t-think-people-ever-were-free-of-fear-of-death-but-clinging-to/) [Katy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-butler/) ## More by Misty Copeland > [I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-traced-the-marley-floor-with-my-pointe-shoes-and-imagine-myself-on/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/to-be-empathetic-to-everyone-around-you-i-think-is-such-a-powerful/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketball-court-i-m-in-my-gym-clothes/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [There are muscles that we have in our feet that most human beings don't even know that we have. The strength that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/there-are-muscles-that-we-have-in-our-feet-that-most-human-beings-don/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/be-strong-be-fearless-be-beautiful-and-believe-that-anything-is/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-woman-represents-ballet-she-is-most-important-powerful-and-vital/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [If I'm put in a situation where I am not really sure what's going to happen, it can be overwhelming. I get a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/if-i-m-put-in-a-situation-where-i-am-not-really-sure-what-s-going-to/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-never-experienced-getting-nervous-on-stage-i-think-i-was-most/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [The word "prodigy" was thrown around a lot, but I didn't understand what that meant, or the weight of it. It didn't really mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-word-prodigy-was-thrown-around-a-lot-but-i-didn-t-understand-what/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-that-the-ideal-physique-and-look-of-a-ballerina-is-always/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-through-a-ballet-like-swan-lake/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/perseverance-has-always-just-been-something-that-was-in-me-and-it-was/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I was 17 when I moved to NYC . I'm now 32. But I do know I can't see myself living anywhere else. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-17-when-i-moved-to-nyc-i-m-now-32-but-i-do-know-i-can-t-see/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-grew-up-poor-in-san-pedro-california-sleeping-on-the-floor-of-shady/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Explore all 191 Misty Copeland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) ## 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. 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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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