--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wherever black people are in America…" description: "\"Wherever black people are in America, criminalization exists. Wherever there is a white-dominant space, deep racism exists as well - no matter how prog..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/924/patrisse-cullors-5946_america_wherever-black-people-are-in-america-cri_440466.jpg" --- # Wherever black people are in America, criminalization… ![“Wherever black people are in America, criminalization exists. Wherever there is a white-dominant space, deep racism exists as well - no matter how progressive. If you cut too far into that progressive, if you do something that's too radical, white racism will emerge.” quote by Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/924/patrisse-cullors-5946_america_wherever-black-people-are-in-america-cri_440466.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/924/patrisse-cullors-5946_america_wherever-black-people-are-in-america-cri_440466.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/924/patrisse-cullors-5946_america_wherever-black-people-are-in-america-cri_440466.jpg) > “Wherever black people are in America, criminalization exists. Wherever there is a white-dominant space, deep racism exists as well - no matter how progressive. If you cut too far into that progressive, if you do something that's too radical, white racism will emerge.” [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Racism persists in both Black and white-dominant spaces; progressive movements can trigger backlash from white racism **In simple terms:** Racism exists everywhere, and radical change can provoke white resistance Key Takeaway Recognize and address racism in all contexts, even within progressive circles Themes systemic racism backlash progressivism Mood serious determined Type political educational When to use this quote - activism - policy reform - community organizing - education initiatives Key Concepts intersectionality social justice white fragility Questions to Reflect On - How can progressive movements avoid triggering white backlash? - What strategies effectively confront racism in white-dominant spaces? A Different Perspective Changing deep-seated attitudes is slow and may meet strong opposition ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [White racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-racism/) ## Related quotes > [Part of the sin of Pride is a subtle but deep racism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-p-yohannan/part-of-the-sin-of-pride-is-a-subtle-but-deep-racism/) [K.P. Yohannan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-p-yohannan/) > [As a person of color, you're in a PhD level racism class, every day. Every day, I'm in a deep racism seminar. And I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-kamau-bell/as-a-person-of-color-you-re-in-a-phd-level-racism-class-every-day/) [W. Kamau Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-kamau-bell/) > [Many of us believed that Black Lives Matter would move this country to not only reckon with white racism but to usher in new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/many-of-us-believed-that-black-lives-matter-would-move-this-country/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [We are witnessing the criminalization of conservative politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/we-are-witnessing-the-criminalization-of-conservative-politics/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [The idea that we criminalize fellow human beings based on optics, based on the need to progress in politics and gain power, and for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ava-duvernay/the-idea-that-we-criminalize-fellow-human-beings-based-on-optics/) [Ava DuVernay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ava-duvernay/) > [HIV criminalization is a global trend, but surprisingly Canada has some of the worst HIV laws in the world - they have incarcerated 200…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-schulman/hiv-criminalization-is-a-global-trend-but-surprisingly-canada-has/) [Sarah Schulman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-schulman/) > [We won't dispassionately investigate or rationally debate which drugs do what damage and whether or how much of that damage is the result of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/we-won-t-dispassionately-investigate-or-rationally-debate-which-drugs/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [I'm a recovering drug addict, so it's not a subject that I take lightly, but I do agree that the criminalization of narcotics is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-brand/i-m-a-recovering-drug-addict-so-it-s-not-a-subject-that-i-take/) [Russell Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-brand/) > [Say you're a sex worker and your partner knows you're a sex worker, but you're not out to your family. That could be very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-gira-grant/say-you-re-a-sex-worker-and-your-partner-knows-you-re-a-sex-worker/) [Melissa Gira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-gira-grant/) > [The criminalization of Black life was something specific to the United States in the post-Reconstruction period and there's something like it happening today with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-criminalization-of-black-life-was-something-specific-to-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [In the current situation with criminalization, we've created situations where sex workers have very little power and control over their lives. Increasing one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-gira-grant/in-the-current-situation-with-criminalization-we-ve-created/) [Melissa Gira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-gira-grant/) > [The mass criminalization of white men would disturb us to the core.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/the-mass-criminalization-of-white-men-would-disturb-us-to-the-core/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [The phenomenon of HIV criminalization is so much more massive than people understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-strub/the-phenomenon-of-hiv-criminalization-is-so-much-more-massive-than/) [Sean Strub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-strub/) > [“The criminalization of debt, then, was the criminalization of the very basis of human society. It cannot be overemphasized that in a small community,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-graeber/the-criminalization-of-debt-then-was-the-criminalization-of-the-very/) [David Graeber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-graeber/) > [“Criminalization is a human rights issue because it disregards the fundamental principles of self-determination, bodily integrity, and sexual freedom.14”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melinda-chateauvert/criminalization-is-a-human-rights-issue-because-it-disregards-the/) Melinda Chateauvert ## More by Patrisse Cullors > [I think our work as movement leaders isn't just about our own visibility but rather how do we make the whole visible. How do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-think-our-work-as-movement-leaders-isn-t-just-about-our-own/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I've been an activist since I was a teenager. I was always curious about what we would now call social justice. I remember just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-ve-been-an-activist-since-i-was-a-teenager-i-was-always-curious/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > ['The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman' is a reminder that people across the world are rebelling against norms and forging new paths for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/the-story-of-us-with-morgan-freeman-is-a-reminder-that-people-across/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Racism has its boot squarely wedged on the neck of black communities, and we don't want to be told that hard work and responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/racism-has-its-boot-squarely-wedged-on-the-neck-of-black-communities/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I don't like how cruel humans can be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-don-t-like-how-cruel-humans-can-be/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Trump is literally the epitome of evil, all the evils of this country - be it racism, capitalism, sexism, homophobia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/trump-is-literally-the-epitome-of-evil-all-the-evils-of-this-country/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [We have to look at queerness as a means towards challenging normativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/we-have-to-look-at-queerness-as-a-means-towards-challenging/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [The unfortunate reality is the alt-right has captured white people's imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/the-unfortunate-reality-is-the-alt-right-has-captured-white-people-s/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Since his inauguration, Trump has signed numerous executive orders that negatively impact poor, black and brown, queer, Muslim, and other communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/since-his-inauguration-trump-has-signed-numerous-executive-orders/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I want to see Black Lives Matter be able to ultimately reduce law enforcement funding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-want-to-see-black-lives-matter-be-able-to-ultimately-reduce-law/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Colin Kaepernick is one of the leaders in the movement for black lives. His role as an athlete and activist is not only motivating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/colin-kaepernick-is-one-of-the-leaders-in-the-movement-for-black/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [White people who voted for Trump decided to invest in a president who underwrites white supremacy in the guise of populism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/white-people-who-voted-for-trump-decided-to-invest-in-a-president-who/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [When I was younger, I had these romantic ideas about the Black Panther Party and what it meant to be a part of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/when-i-was-younger-i-had-these-romantic-ideas-about-the-black-panther/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [I fight to prioritize black mothers and black children because we deserve to live in a world where our healing is centered and our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/i-fight-to-prioritize-black-mothers-and-black-children-because-we/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) > [Each and every one of us has multiple identities, and this is a fact that should be celebrated. I for example, am a queer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrisse-cullors/each-and-every-one-of-us-has-multiple-identities-and-this-is-a-fact/) [Patrisse Cullors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) [Explore all 100 Patrisse Cullors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrisse-cullors/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! 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And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. 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