--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The white actresses I have known have…" description: "\"The white actresses I have known have been allowed to do 10 times more than I shall ever do.\" — Ruby Dee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png" --- # The white actresses I have known have been allowed to do… ![“The white actresses I have known have been allowed to do 10 times more than I shall ever do.” quote by Ruby Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png) > “The white actresses I have known have been allowed to do 10 times more than I shall ever do.” [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. She contrasts limited opportunities for Black actresses with greater freedom for white actresses, highlighting systemic inequality. **In simple terms:** White actresses get far more chances than Black actresses. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge racial bias in casting. Themes racial inequality representation Hollywood career gender systemic bias Mood critical reflective Type analytical social commentary When to use this quote - audition process - script selection - career planning - advocacy - media analysis Key Concepts intersectionality structural racism industry gatekeeping Questions to Reflect On - How can industry leaders promote equitable casting? A Different Perspective Does increased visibility automatically change systemic barriers? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The tax code is 10 times the size of the Bible with none of the good news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-tax-code-is-10-times-the-size-of-the-bible-with-none-of-the-good/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [We thought there is no point in practising penalties because you can hit the same spot 10 times out of 10 and, if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-bent/we-thought-there-is-no-point-in-practising-penalties-because-you-can/) [Darren Bent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-bent/) > [“I bet you anything that 10 times out of 10, Nicky, Vinny and Tony will beat the shit out of Todd, Kyle and Tucker.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-bet-you-anything-that-10-times-out-of-10-nicky-vinny-and-tony-will/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [You can call me 10 times a day to pay this bill but, I do not owe your company any money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-jones/you-can-call-me-10-times-a-day-to-pay-this-bill-but-i-do-not-owe-your/) [Jon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-jones/) > [I have only prepared properly for the World Championship three or four times in my life. If I had gone about it professionally I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/i-have-only-prepared-properly-for-the-world-championship-three-or/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [I literally change my phone number 10 times a year and I don't ever save my contacts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/i-literally-change-my-phone-number-10-times-a-year-and-i-don-t-ever/) [Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/) > [I had one of my coaches that told me that I was going to amount to nothing but a housewife. I'd seen what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jade-cargill/i-had-one-of-my-coaches-that-told-me-that-i-was-going-to-amount-to/) [Jade Cargill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jade-cargill/) > [If I'm walking very, very fast down Madison Avenue in the middle of the day, I'll say I'm stopped 10 times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-davis/if-i-m-walking-very-very-fast-down-madison-avenue-in-the-middle-of/) [Kristin Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-davis/) > [Life's always 10 times better on the diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-s-always-10-times-better-on-the-diamond/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm in awe of people out there who deal with Alzheimer's, because they have to deal with death 10 times over, year after year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-wallace/i-m-in-awe-of-people-out-there-who-deal-with-alzheimer-s-because-they/) [Marcia Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-wallace/) > [I been going to the hospital since I was born, about 10 times a year, for about a week or two each time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prodigy/i-been-going-to-the-hospital-since-i-was-born-about-10-times-a-year/) [Prodigy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prodigy/) > [If anything is worth trying at all, it's worth trying at least 10 times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-linkletter/if-anything-is-worth-trying-at-all-it-s-worth-trying-at-least-10-times/) [Art Linkletter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-linkletter/) > [See I got em like 10 times, spend money got em like 10 times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/birdman/see-i-got-em-like-10-times-spend-money-got-em-like-10-times/) Birdman > [I've broken my tailbone, wrists and legs over 10 times and that definitely doesn't equal the pain of cracking my head open.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bam-margera/i-ve-broken-my-tailbone-wrists-and-legs-over-10-times-and-that/) [Bam Margera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bam-margera/) > [I don't do anything without measuring 10 times and cutting once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-bosh/i-don-t-do-anything-without-measuring-10-times-and-cutting-once/) [Chris Bosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-bosh/) ## 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 Actresses quotes > [I feel excited about getting older as an actress, too. I think there are some amazing opportunities around the corner and I don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/i-feel-excited-about-getting-older-as-an-actress-too-i-think-there/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [I think most of us are raised with preconceived notions of the choices we're supposed to make. We waste so much time making decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/i-think-most-of-us-are-raised-with-preconceived-notions-of-the/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/) [Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/) > [By the time I was seventeen, I was on my way to Hollywood and didn't look back. My family is supportive now, but like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-heard/by-the-time-i-was-seventeen-i-was-on-my-way-to-hollywood-and-didn-t/) [Amber Heard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-heard/) > [Just have fun. Smile. And keep putting on lipstick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-keaton/just-have-fun-smile-and-keep-putting-on-lipstick/) [Diane Keaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-keaton/) > [There are a lot of great actresses out there. You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) > [I want to be fulfilled creatively as an actress and get to be in roles that are meaningful and impactful. I hope the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amandla-stenberg/i-want-to-be-fulfilled-creatively-as-an-actress-and-get-to-be-in/) [Amandla Stenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amandla-stenberg/) > [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/) [Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/) > [All the baggage that comes with fame, being an actress. The down side to it is the intrusion into your life and this expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/all-the-baggage-that-comes-with-fame-being-an-actress-the-down-side/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [I am going to be a great actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivien-leigh/i-am-going-to-be-a-great-actress/) [Vivien Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivien-leigh/) > [As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/as-a-black-actress-you-ve-got-to-work-doubly-hard-but-it-doesn-t-ever/) [Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/) > [I've seen new actresses do one show and disappear or struggle for years to get their next break. I've been fortunate enough to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjeeda-sheikh/i-ve-seen-new-actresses-do-one-show-and-disappear-or-struggle-for/) [Sanjeeda Sheikh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjeeda-sheikh/) > [I knew I wanted to be an actress as soon as I popped out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-wallace/i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-as-soon-as-i-popped-out/) [Dee Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-wallace/) > [Campaigning actress ASHLEY JUDD refuses to 'breed' with her racing star husband DARIO FRANCHITTI while there are starving children in the world. . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-judd/campaigning-actress-ashley-judd-refuses-to-breed-with-her-racing-star/) [Ashley Judd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-judd/) [Browse all 1,881 Actresses quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The white actresses I have known have been allowed to do 10 times more than I shall ever do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ruby Dee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-been-allowed-to-do-10-times/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actresses" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-been-allowed-to-do-10-times/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/ruby-dee-7465_actresses_the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-be_2884687.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The white actresses I have known have been allowed to do 10 times more than I shall ever do.” — Ruby Dee", "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": "Ruby Dee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-dee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The white actresses I have known...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-been-allowed-to-do-10-times/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-dee/the-white-actresses-i-have-known-have-been-allowed-to-do-10-times/#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 } } ] } ```