--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Often, African-Americans' work is…" description: "\"Often, African-Americans' work is accepted as if we did something artistic by happenstance. It's almost like, 'They make TV shows the same way they dan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/salim-akil-10564_art_often-african-americans-work-is-accepted_1838241.jpg" --- # Often, African-Americans' work is accepted as if we did… ![“Often, African-Americans' work is accepted as if we did something artistic by happenstance. It's almost like, 'They make TV shows the same way they dance. It's just natural!'” quote by Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/salim-akil-10564_art_often-african-americans-work-is-accepted_1838241.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/salim-akil-10564_art_often-african-americans-work-is-accepted_1838241.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8ff/salim-akil-10564_art_often-african-americans-work-is-accepted_1838241.jpg) > “Often, African-Americans' work is accepted as if we did something artistic by happenstance. It's almost like, 'They make TV shows the same way they dance. It's just natural!'” [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques how African-American creative work is often dismissed as accidental, overlooking skill and intention. **In simple terms:** Black art is unfairly labeled as natural or accidental. Key Takeaway Recognize and credit intentional artistry. Themes race media art recognition bias Mood critical determined Type analytical advocacy When to use this quote - film production - music industry - publishing - award ceremonies - education curricula Key Concepts systemic bias cultural appropriation authorship Questions to Reflect On - How can we shift narratives to acknowledge effort? - What steps support equitable recognition? A Different Perspective May overlook progress in representation and agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african/) [African americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-americans/) [Americans Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-work-362185/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artistic Happenstance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artistic-happenstance-2328922/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Same](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/same/) [Something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something/) [Tv shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tv-shows/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Accepted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-accepted-792682/) ## Related quotes > [My work's never been accepted by my family, but it's something I'll always carry on with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-vegas/my-work-s-never-been-accepted-by-my-family-but-it-s-something-i-ll/) [Johnny Vegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-vegas/) > [“If my work is accepted, I must move on to the point where it is not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cage/if-my-work-is-accepted-i-must-move-on-to-the-point-where-it-is-not/) [John Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cage/) > [You were told how much space so it was a matter of whether you could send in two paintings or three paintings, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-krasner/you-were-told-how-much-space-so-it-was-a-matter-of-whether-you-could/) [Lee Krasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-krasner/) > [I'm a fatalist… I consider I am rejected in principle. My work is and, through my work, I am. If it's accepted, it's miraculous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/i-m-a-fatalist-i-consider-i-am-rejected-in-principle-my-work-is-and/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [Even in Indian cinema, there is so much work that I have accepted because I'm comfortable and so much I have declined because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/even-in-indian-cinema-there-is-so-much-work-that-i-have-accepted/) [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/) > [They say African Americans. I say black people. I've only been to Africa once. I've been in America all my life!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-cain/they-say-african-americans-i-say-black-people-i-ve-only-been-to/) [Herman Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-cain/) > [I need to point out that African-Americans are not a monolith and do not operate in groupthink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omarosa-manigault-newman/i-need-to-point-out-that-african-americans-are-not-a-monolith-and-do/) [Omarosa Manigault Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omarosa-manigault-newman/) > [I don't compare myself with only African-Americans... I do not grade myself on a color scheme.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelton-benjamin/i-don-t-compare-myself-with-only-african-americans-i-do-not-grade/) [Shelton Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelton-benjamin/) > [The separate water foundations, park benches, bathrooms and restaurants of the Jim Crow South startled me. These experiences motivated my lifelong study of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-heckman/the-separate-water-foundations-park-benches-bathrooms-and-restaurants/) [James Heckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-heckman/) > [“I don't want people to think I mind being mistaken for African American. I don't. There are, however, many African immigrants in America who,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadia-owusu/i-don-t-want-people-to-think-i-mind-being-mistaken-for-african/) [Nadia Owusu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadia-owusu/) > [“Most people write me off when they see me. They do not know my story. They say I am just an African. They judge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idowu-koyenikan/most-people-write-me-off-when-they-see-me-they-do-not-know-my-story/) [idowu koyenikan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idowu-koyenikan/) > [It's important for African-Americans to express themselves, period. We're 400 years behind. We should be able to shine whenever and however we feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalen-rose/it-s-important-for-african-americans-to-express-themselves-period-we/) [Jalen Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalen-rose/) > [Typically, during recessionary times, particular groups suffer higher rates of unemployment -African Americans, and Latinos, and in some cases other minority groups. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-solis/typically-during-recessionary-times-particular-groups-suffer-higher/) [Hilda Solis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-solis/) > [I'm the kind of person that when I saw a lack of African Americans in the apparel business, that was something I set out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daymond-john/i-m-the-kind-of-person-that-when-i-saw-a-lack-of-african-americans-in/) [Daymond John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daymond-john/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) ## More by Salim Akil > [Jefferson Pierce is the epitome of what black men are: He loves his wife, his children, and the community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/jefferson-pierce-is-the-epitome-of-what-black-men-are-he-loves-his/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [Michael Schultz's 'Cooley High' is a classic. Oftentimes, we don't get to see films about coming of age, especially for young African Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/michael-schultz-s-cooley-high-is-a-classic-oftentimes-we-don-t-get-to/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [As an artist, I write and I do what I know and what creatively comes out of me, and I think that other artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/as-an-artist-i-write-and-i-do-what-i-know-and-what-creatively-comes/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [Every time I get an opportunity to do what I love to do, it's huge. It never gets old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/every-time-i-get-an-opportunity-to-do-what-i-love-to-do-it-s-huge-it/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [When you're young, taking a risk doesn't necessarily feel like a risk because you're young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/when-you-re-young-taking-a-risk-doesn-t-necessarily-feel-like-a-risk/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [I don't walk around all the time thinking of myself as African American, but oftentimes in Hollywood, you are reminded of that in ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/i-don-t-walk-around-all-the-time-thinking-of-myself-as-african/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It's a wonderful thing to see 'Wonder Woman' directed by a woman. That did have an affect on the character, the , and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-s-a-wonderful-thing-to-see-wonder-woman-directed-by-a-woman-that/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [There are so many families who do not come up in a traditional household. African Americans, Latins, and, I'm sure, whites as well, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/there-are-so-many-families-who-do-not-come-up-in-a-traditional/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [Come election time, black and white politicians put on their costumes of compassion and care, shake black hands, kiss black babies, sing 'We Shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/come-election-time-black-and-white-politicians-put-on-their-costumes/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [When you see a superhero that looks like you and lives in and fights in a neighborhood that is sort of like yours, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/when-you-see-a-superhero-that-looks-like-you-and-lives-in-and-fights/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It doesn't make sense to constantly talk about the lack of diversity in Hollywood. We all know it's there. My wife and I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-doesn-t-make-sense-to-constantly-talk-about-the-lack-of-diversity/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [If you bury me in a grave, don't ever come visit - because you won't find me there. You'll find me in the books…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/if-you-bury-me-in-a-grave-don-t-ever-come-visit-because-you-won-t/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [It's less about Trump and more about the people... If the American people are willing to elect someone like that president, then that's more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/it-s-less-about-trump-and-more-about-the-people-if-the-american/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [If I see one kid dressed up like Thunder or Lightning or Black Lightning, I'll feel like I influenced the culture in a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/if-i-see-one-kid-dressed-up-like-thunder-or-lightning-or-black/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) > [America has a strange relationship with its racial memory. Death has always been a constant companion of black people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-akil/america-has-a-strange-relationship-with-its-racial-memory-death-has/) [Salim Akil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) [Explore all 64 Salim Akil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-akil/) ## More African quotes > [We examine and highlight the history of the African descendants in America, and know that each and every one of us has come this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yvette-clarke/we-examine-and-highlight-the-history-of-the-african-descendants-in/) [Yvette Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yvette-clarke/) > [I'm just trying to touch the world and touch the people and just get good material. And show them that we can get it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-hardrict/i-m-just-trying-to-touch-the-world-and-touch-the-people-and-just-get/) [Cory Hardrict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-hardrict/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [“For their never-ending endeavours to obtain or retain wealth, countries desperately need companies, because they—unlike most human beings—have the means of production, and human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/for-their-never-ending-endeavours-to-obtain-or-retain-wealth/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [Virtually all of Darfur's six million residents are Muslim, and, because of decades of intermarriage, almost everyone has dark skin and African features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/virtually-all-of-darfur-s-six-million-residents-are-muslim-and/) [Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/) > [I loved Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi. Its about a first-generation African family living in America that has to return home to Nigeria…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uzo-aduba/i-loved-ghana-must-go-by-taiye-selasi-its-about-a-first-generation/) [Uzo Aduba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uzo-aduba/) > [I was adopted my black Americans, I feel that I'm a 'Hybrid'. When I'm around Africans'I suddenly feel very black American. And when I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kola-boof/i-was-adopted-my-black-americans-i-feel-that-i-m-a-hybrid-when-i-m/) [Kola Boof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kola-boof/) > [I concentrate on the southern African subcontinent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-dennis/i-concentrate-on-the-southern-african-subcontinent/) [Nigel Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-dennis/) > ['Yo I'm from Africa' Boy you're just a faker. Name one city: 'Uhh, Jamaica!' Wrong! 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I've spent a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-quammen/most-americans-know-nothing-about-the-african-forest-and-it-seems-to/) [David Quammen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-quammen/) [Browse all 576 African quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Often, African-Americans' work is accepted as if we did something artistic by happenstance. It's almost like, 'They make TV shows the same way they dance. 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