--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I realize there is a paucity of…" description: "\"I realize there is a paucity of African-Americans in my position. Everywhere I go, people say, 'Don't mess this up. Don't forget about us.' You feel a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/stephen-a-smith-7133_african-americans_i-realize-there-is-a-paucity-of-african_2469691.jpg" --- # I realize there is a paucity of African-Americans in my… ![“I realize there is a paucity of African-Americans in my position. Everywhere I go, people say, 'Don't mess this up. Don't forget about us.' You feel a tremendous responsibility, not to take the black side of things but to make sure that side gets heard, because if I don't do it, who's going to do…” quote by Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/stephen-a-smith-7133_african-americans_i-realize-there-is-a-paucity-of-african_2469691.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/stephen-a-smith-7133_african-americans_i-realize-there-is-a-paucity-of-african_2469691.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd5/stephen-a-smith-7133_african-americans_i-realize-there-is-a-paucity-of-african_2469691.jpg) > “I realize there is a paucity of African-Americans in my position. Everywhere I go, people say, 'Don't mess this up. Don't forget about us.' You feel a tremendous responsibility, not to take the black side of things but to make sure that side gets heard, because if I don't do it, who's going to do it?” [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being a visible minority in a high‑profile role carries a duty to represent and amplify one's community, prompting proactive advocacy. **In simple terms:** Minority leaders feel responsibility to speak for their community. Key Takeaway Use your platform to amplify under‑represented voices. Themes representation responsibility advocacy Mood determined inspirational Type political motivational When to use this quote - public speaking - policy making - media representation - community organizing Key Concepts social justice leadership identity politics Questions to Reflect On - How will you balance personal goals with community duties? - What actions can you take to ensure diverse voices are heard? A Different Perspective Balancing personal ambition with community expectations can create pressure and burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [African americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-americans/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) ## Related quotes > [I feel a tremendous responsibility to my crew, to my cast, to every guest star that comes on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianna-margulies/i-feel-a-tremendous-responsibility-to-my-crew-to-my-cast-to-every/) [Julianna Margulies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianna-margulies/) > [“An ambassador from any country is always conscious of the fact that he has a tremendous responsibility because he is the representative by whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn-lloyd-jones/an-ambassador-from-any-country-is-always-conscious-of-the-fact-that/) [Martyn Lloyd-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn-lloyd-jones/) > [I have a wide spectrum, a wide demographic. I have the young girls, I have the gay community, I have many regular theatergoers. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idina-menzel/i-have-a-wide-spectrum-a-wide-demographic-i-have-the-young-girls-i/) [Idina Menzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idina-menzel/) > [It is a tremendous responsibility for us to have all the eyes focused on what we do and give people exactly what they need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/it-is-a-tremendous-responsibility-for-us-to-have-all-the-eyes-focused/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [I came to the United States in the early '80s and was welcomed with open arms and given the opportunity to pursue my dreams.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naveen-jain/i-came-to-the-united-states-in-the-early-80s-and-was-welcomed-with/) [Naveen Jain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naveen-jain/) > [It's a tremendous responsibility to be direct descendants of the prophet Muhammad. This family has had the burden of leadership on its shoulders for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-a-tremendous-responsibility-to-be-direct-descendants-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Top technologists have a tremendous capacity - and, therefore, a tremendous responsibility - to build things that make a positive impact on the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lonsdale/top-technologists-have-a-tremendous-capacity-and-therefore-a/) [Joe Lonsdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lonsdale/) > [Presidents do not go into war lightly. It's a tremendous responsibility in making decisions, and I know Bush must deeply believe this is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-nixon-eisenhower/presidents-do-not-go-into-war-lightly-it-s-a-tremendous/) [Julie Nixon Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-nixon-eisenhower/) > [The United States cannot feed every person, lift every person out of poverty, cure every disease, or stop every conflict. But our power and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lugar/the-united-states-cannot-feed-every-person-lift-every-person-out-of/) [Richard Lugar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lugar/) > [As African-Americans, we don't start with a blank slate, while other people may. 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So sometimes, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/it-may-be-changing-but-still-it-s-the-one-place-that-total-control-of/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [In a lot of movies, African-Americans are either maids or slaves, but that's not all they were. We need to show that. And we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/in-a-lot-of-movies-african-americans-are-either-maids-or-slaves-but/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) ## More by Stephen A. Smith > [You can criticize me. You can crucify me. You can love me. You can hate me. Just don't make the mistake of calling me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/you-can-criticize-me-you-can-crucify-me-you-can-love-me-you-can-hate/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [There's nothing about Tony Romo that deserves to be associated with America's Team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/there-s-nothing-about-tony-romo-that-deserves-to-be-associated-with/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [When I was at the 'Philadelphia Inquirer,' I was promoted nine times in my first 13 years. I ultimately went from general assignment to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/when-i-was-at-the-philadelphia-inquirer-i-was-promoted-nine-times-in/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [I was the youngest of six, with four older sisters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/i-was-the-youngest-of-six-with-four-older-sisters/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [I'm associated with Walt Disney, but dammit, everybody knows that I'm a bottom feeder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/i-m-associated-with-walt-disney-but-dammit-everybody-knows-that-i-m-a/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [No one on the planet Earth is going to be able to look at me on television and say that I'm a liar. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/no-one-on-the-planet-earth-is-going-to-be-able-to-look-at-me-on/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [I'm not just a black man, I'm a brotha. I love my people. When I'm on the air I am fully aware that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/i-m-not-just-a-black-man-i-m-a-brotha-i-love-my-people-when-i-m-on/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [Maybe, instead of putting our standards on other people, we should be very reticent, apprehensive, and deliberate and methodical in choosing whom we choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/maybe-instead-of-putting-our-standards-on-other-people-we-should-be/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [Don't fake what you feel. I've never been about that. I never will be about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/don-t-fake-what-you-feel-i-ve-never-been-about-that-i-never-will-be/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [There are many dimensions to Stephen A.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/there-are-many-dimensions-to-stephen-a/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [I know what I know, and what I don't know, I'm willing to admit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/i-know-what-i-know-and-what-i-don-t-know-i-m-willing-to-admit/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [If you are the president of the United States of America, you are 70 years of age, and you are tweeting - literally competing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/if-you-are-the-president-of-the-united-states-of-america-you-are-70/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [A season is not made in a week or two any more than a stellar game epitomizes greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/a-season-is-not-made-in-a-week-or-two-any-more-than-a-stellar-game/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [I don't consider myself just a black man. I consider myself a brotha. I love my people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/i-don-t-consider-myself-just-a-black-man-i-consider-myself-a-brotha-i/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) > [If you are in the world of business, that means you are in the business of making money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-a-smith/if-you-are-in-the-world-of-business-that-means-you-are-in-the/) [Stephen A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) [Explore all 93 Stephen A. Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-a-smith/) ## More African americans quotes > [In a lot of movies, African-Americans are either maids or slaves, but that's not all they were. We need to show that. And we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/in-a-lot-of-movies-african-americans-are-either-maids-or-slaves-but/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [I know I'm more forgiving than most African Americans when it comes to second chances for White people who not only commit a racial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-capehart/i-know-i-m-more-forgiving-than-most-african-americans-when-it-comes/) [Jonathan Capehart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-capehart/) > [It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. So sometimes, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/it-may-be-changing-but-still-it-s-the-one-place-that-total-control-of/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [“Alabama in 1927 alone, 27,701 men were arrested on misdemeanor charges and offered for sale by county sheriffs. In Blackmon’s estimation, “roughly half of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-haney-l-pez/alabama-in-1927-alone-27-701-men-were-arrested-on-misdemeanor-charges/) [Ian Haney López](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-haney-l-pez/) > [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/) > [“He (Zerubavel) draws attention to the social influences on perception (what people notice), attention and concern (what people care about), classification (how people categorize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-griswold/he-zerubavel-draws-attention-to-the-social-influences-on-perception/) [Wendy Griswold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-griswold/) > [To those African-Americans suffering in our country, I say, what do you have to lose? Vote for Trump, I'm going to fix it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/to-those-african-americans-suffering-in-our-country-i-say-what-do-you/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [Affirmative action was designed to recognize the uniquely difficult journey of African-Americans. This policy was justifiable and understandable, even to those who came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-webb/affirmative-action-was-designed-to-recognize-the-uniquely-difficult/) [Jim Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-webb/) > [“The black officer checks Daddy while his partner glances around at all of the onlookers. There's quite a few of us now. Ms. Yvette…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angie-thomas/the-black-officer-checks-daddy-while-his-partner-glances-around-at/) [Angie Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angie-thomas/) > [African Americans are doing a lot already, but I think we have an opportunity right now to change politics in a way that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-beckmann/african-americans-are-doing-a-lot-already-but-i-think-we-have-an/) [David Beckmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-beckmann/) > [The uncomfortable reality we must face is that California, like the nation as a whole, has treated generations of African Americans and Latinos as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/the-uncomfortable-reality-we-must-face-is-that-california-like-the/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [Since the nations founding, African Americans repeatedly have been controlled through institutions such as slavery and Jim Crow, which appear to die but then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/since-the-nations-founding-african-americans-repeatedly-have-been/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [You take a look at the history of African Americans in the US. 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In our position, there's always some sort of stereotype that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xavier-woods/as-african-americans-we-don-t-start-with-a-blank-slate-while-other/) [Xavier Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xavier-woods/) [Browse all 593 African americans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/african-americans/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I realize there is a paucity of African-Americans in my position. Everywhere I go, people say, 'Don't mess this up. Don't forget about us.' You feel a tremendous responsibility, not to take the black side of things but to make sure that side gets heard, because if I don't do it, who's going to do it?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen A. 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