--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Racism is a very insidious thing. It's…" description: "\"Racism is a very insidious thing. It's dangerous to the psyche, to mind and body. It erodes the self-confidence. And I don't know how we get through it..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ruby-dee-7465_body_racism-is-a-very-insidious-thing-it-s-da_685395.png" --- # Racism is a very insidious thing. It's dangerous to the… ![“Racism is a very insidious thing. It's dangerous to the psyche, to mind and body. It erodes the self-confidence. And I don't know how we get through it.” quote by Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ruby-dee-7465_body_racism-is-a-very-insidious-thing-it-s-da_685395.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ruby-dee-7465_body_racism-is-a-very-insidious-thing-it-s-da_685395.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/104/ruby-dee-7465_body_racism-is-a-very-insidious-thing-it-s-da_685395.png) > “Racism is a very insidious thing. It's dangerous to the psyche, to mind and body. It erodes the self-confidence. And I don't know how we get through it.” [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Racism harms mental and physical health, eroding self‑confidence, and its cure is unclear. **In simple terms:** Racism damages mind, body, and confidence. Key Takeaway Seek healing and solidarity. Themes racism mental health self‑esteem Mood determined empathetic Type inspirational activist When to use this quote - community support - therapy - activism - education programs Key Concepts social justice psychology Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to support those affected? - How can communities foster resilience? A Different Perspective Healing requires systemic change, not just personal resilience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Dangerous Psyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous-psyche-5415123/) [Erodes Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/erodes-self-5415122/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind and body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-and-body/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Racism Insidious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism-insidious-1466087/) [Self confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-confidence/) [Thing Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-dangerous-230948/) [Through](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/through/) ## Related quotes > [The plague of racism is insidious, entering into our minds as smoothly and quietly and invisibly as floating airborne microbes enter into our bodies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/the-plague-of-racism-is-insidious-entering-into-our-minds-as-smoothly/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The most basic thing which is dangerous in you is the possibility of love, because if you are possessed by love you can go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-basic-thing-which-is-dangerous-in-you-is-the-possibility-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Too much of any thing is dangerous, unless its gods love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/too-much-of-any-thing-is-dangerous-unless-its-gods-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The only thing more dangerous than a lie...is the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-barber/the-only-thing-more-dangerous-than-a-lie-is-the-truth/) [Kathleen Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-barber/) > [A thing may be morally neutral and yet the desire for that thing may be dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-thing-may-be-morally-neutral-and-yet-the-desire-for-that-thing-may/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One thing more dangerous than getting between a grizzly sow and her cub is getting between a businessman and a dollar bill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/one-thing-more-dangerous-than-getting-between-a-grizzly-sow-and-her/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [It looks like I have a thing for dangerous sports, don't I?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danica-patrick/it-looks-like-i-have-a-thing-for-dangerous-sports-don-t-i/) [Danica Patrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danica-patrick/) > [Guns are dangerous. The only thing more dangerous is not having them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-edward-griffin/guns-are-dangerous-the-only-thing-more-dangerous-is-not-having-them/) [G. Edward Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-edward-griffin/) > [The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-only-thing-more-dangerous-than-ignorance-is-arrogance/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“...the only thing more dangerous than I could imagine was cats with opposable thumbs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-dahl/the-only-thing-more-dangerous-than-i-could-imagine-was-cats-with/) [Eileen Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-dahl/) > [“The cowardly thing is also the most dangerous thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/the-cowardly-thing-is-also-the-most-dangerous-thing/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [The only thing more dangerous than an idea is a belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/the-only-thing-more-dangerous-than-an-idea-is-a-belief/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [The thing is, it's very dangerous to have a fixed idea. A person with a fixed idea will always find some way of convincing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atle-selberg/the-thing-is-it-s-very-dangerous-to-have-a-fixed-idea-a-person-with-a/) [Atle Selberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atle-selberg/) > [“was no such thing as a “dangerous weapon,” there were only dangerous men.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/was-no-such-thing-as-a-dangerous-weapon-there-were-only-dangerous-men/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“Strider hovered over the scope and slammed his eye on it before jumping back with a hand over the squinting eye. "That bloody thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-oliver/strider-hovered-over-the-scope-and-slammed-his-eye-on-it-before/) [Tess Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-oliver/) ## More by Ruby Dee > [Just staying together is not a real virtue, if you're not happy. Or you're being denied. Or one person is being squashed. Or you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/just-staying-together-is-not-a-real-virtue-if-you-re-not-happy-or-you/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [I'm proud of doing 'Long Day's Journey into Night,' for which I won an ACE award.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/i-m-proud-of-doing-long-day-s-journey-into-night-for-which-i-won-an/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [See, I don’t expect to win a prize for stoic control and dignity at mourning time. Death deserve tantrums. Beating back shocked indignation, kicks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/see-i-don-t-expect-to-win-a-prize-for-stoic-control-and-dignity-at/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [You hear people say, 'We take our Tennessee Williams very seriously. There is no laughter here.' It's full of humor! Not to laugh is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/you-hear-people-say-we-take-our-tennessee-williams-very-seriously/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [A trustworthy marriage has weathered temptation and anger and jealousy, resentment, self-righteousness and a little bit of selfishness. When you get over and get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/a-trustworthy-marriage-has-weathered-temptation-and-anger-and/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [OK, boss, I don't mind shuffling, but I won't scratch my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/ok-boss-i-don-t-mind-shuffling-but-i-won-t-scratch-my-head/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Marriage is really an exciting adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/marriage-is-really-an-exciting-adventure/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [We don't realize how much racism has tainted our self-image as human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/we-don-t-realize-how-much-racism-has-tainted-our-self-image-as-human/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Gangsters lived in the neighborhood. They weren't apart from it. Their relationships with people were both benevolent and scary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/gangsters-lived-in-the-neighborhood-they-weren-t-apart-from-it-their/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [My experience for myself as a performer is not one of high expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/my-experience-for-myself-as-a-performer-is-not-one-of-high/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [The Divine Impulse - it's always safe to follow it. We've got to trust it and go wherever it takes us. Especially women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-divine-impulse-it-s-always-safe-to-follow-it-we-ve-got-to-trust/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [Revolutionaries don't get job security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/revolutionaries-don-t-get-job-security/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [It's getting increasingly difficult to be a dreamer under any circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/it-s-getting-increasingly-difficult-to-be-a-dreamer-under-any/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [My whole life is not defined by what Hollywood does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/my-whole-life-is-not-defined-by-what-hollywood-does/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) > [I think I have something unique that I'd like to share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/i-think-i-have-something-unique-that-i-d-like-to-share/) [Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) [Explore all 91 Ruby Dee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/) ## More Body quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [The very purpose for being in this body, for every one of us, is to live and rejoice in that virgin area, that untouched,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/the-very-purpose-for-being-in-this-body-for-every-one-of-us-is-to/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Racism is a cancer. You cannot ignore it and it'll go away. If you ignore cancer, it simply metastasizes and consumes the whole body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-davis/racism-is-a-cancer-you-cannot-ignore-it-and-it-ll-go-away-if-you/) [Daryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-davis/) > [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/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [If japa is maintained, no useless talk during work will be possible. The mind will always remain peaceful. Modern day diseases are mostly psychosomatic.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/if-japa-is-maintained-no-useless-talk-during-work-will-be-possible/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [It is the incongruous thing in my entire life, this isolation.. ... My work requires it - but I myself have no need or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marsden-hartley/it-is-the-incongruous-thing-in-my-entire-life-this-isolation-my-work/) [Marsden Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marsden-hartley/) > [My friends, this body - perhaps more than any other gathering in human history - now faces that difficult task.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/my-friends-this-body-perhaps-more-than-any-other-gathering-in-human/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) [Browse all 20,814 Body quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Racism is a very insidious thing. It's dangerous to the psyche, to mind and body. It erodes the self-confidence. 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