--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's the people who don't recognize the…" description: "\"It's the people who don't recognize the racism within themselves that can be the most damaging because they don't see it.\" — Sterling K. Brown" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg" --- # It's the people who don't recognize the racism within… ![“It's the people who don't recognize the racism within themselves that can be the most damaging because they don't see it.” quote by Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg) > “It's the people who don't recognize the racism within themselves that can be the most damaging because they don't see it.” [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Unacknowledged personal bias fuels harm because it remains invisible to the bearer. **In simple terms:** Ignoring personal bias can cause damage. Key Takeaway Examine and confront your own biases. Themes bias self-awareness social responsibility racism Mood introspective challenging urgent Type ethical social When to use this quote - team meetings - community dialogues - policy making - education settings Key Concepts psychology social justice ethics Questions to Reflect On - What biases might you be overlooking? - How can you safely explore personal prejudice? A Different Perspective Self‑denial can block growth and accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [We need to recognize that racism has never been subtle, though it has gone underreported.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilhan-omar/we-need-to-recognize-that-racism-has-never-been-subtle-though-it-has/) [Ilhan Omar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilhan-omar/) > [“Unless institutional power reinforces the hurt and prejudice suffered by a group, it is not oppression. By definition, a person of color cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-stout/unless-institutional-power-reinforces-the-hurt-and-prejudice-suffered/) Linda Stout > [You cannot reason with people who don't recognize the humanity in all of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/you-cannot-reason-with-people-who-don-t-recognize-the-humanity-in-all/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [Judges have to have the humility to recognize that they operate within a system of precedent, shaped by other judges equally striving to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-roberts/judges-have-to-have-the-humility-to-recognize-that-they-operate/) [John Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-roberts/) > [The most damaging phrase in the language is: 'It's always been done that way.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-hopper/the-most-damaging-phrase-in-the-language-is-it-s-always-been-done/) [Grace Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-hopper/) > [Your liver is your vital detoxification organ, and if it becomes overloaded with toxins from the food, drink, or medications you're consuming, you'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-somers/your-liver-is-your-vital-detoxification-organ-and-if-it-becomes/) [Suzanne Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-somers/) > [I think that Obama's failure to reestablish the rule of law in money matters is the most damaging thing that he's done - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/i-think-that-obama-s-failure-to-reestablish-the-rule-of-law-in-money/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [But if you know that something has been really vicious, you don't read it, you don't let it into your head. What's damaging is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigella-lawson/but-if-you-know-that-something-has-been-really-vicious-you-don-t-read/) [Nigella Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigella-lawson/) > [Violence is not a constitutionally protected right. Damaging property is not a constitutionally protected right; inciting violence is not a constitutionally protected right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-g-slay/violence-is-not-a-constitutionally-protected-right-damaging-property/) Francis G. Slay > [The wrongful arrest of tens of thousands of British Muslims after the September 11 attacks can be explained by the very poor intelligence the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/the-wrongful-arrest-of-tens-of-thousands-of-british-muslims-after-the/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [How can we teach our children to be responsible beyond themselves and care for other human beings' welfare and for the welfare of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-reuben/how-can-we-teach-our-children-to-be-responsible-beyond-themselves-and/) [Gloria Reuben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-reuben/) > [I'm not an extreme tree-hugger. I do believe trees grow and are a useful agricultural product that can be harvested without damaging the ecology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/i-m-not-an-extreme-tree-hugger-i-do-believe-trees-grow-and-are-a/) [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [I'm going to work with Republicans when they do things I agree with and I'm going to fight Republicans when they're doing things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/i-m-going-to-work-with-republicans-when-they-do-things-i-agree-with/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) > [Just as Wall Street needs to break the hold of the bonus culture, which drives risk-taking that is rational for individuals but damaging to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-schekman/just-as-wall-street-needs-to-break-the-hold-of-the-bonus-culture/) [Randy Schekman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-schekman/) > [History was an incredibly damaging experience, and now it's over . . . in a sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/history-was-an-incredibly-damaging-experience-and-now-it-s-over-in-a/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) ## More by Sterling K. Brown > [It would be really cool to have my dad here to witness this, to see his grandchildren, to see this woman that I chose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-would-be-really-cool-to-have-my-dad-here-to-witness-this-to-see/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [The humanity that is given to other people isn't given to us. There is an expendability that comes along with being African American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/the-humanity-that-is-given-to-other-people-isn-t-given-to-us-there-is/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I want to be remembered for a body of work so that when the next guy comes up, he could think of Sterling K.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-want-to-be-remembered-for-a-body-of-work-so-that-when-the-next-guy/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [What was so lovely about 'O.J.' and 'This Is Us' to a certain extent is that I got a chance to surprise people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/what-was-so-lovely-about-o-j-and-this-is-us-to-a-certain-extent-is/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [The work of acting, in and of itself, is something that is infinitely enjoyable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/the-work-of-acting-in-and-of-itself-is-something-that-is-infinitely/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I have a certain memory of the way in which my father loved me until I was 10, and it was unconditional and eternal.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-have-a-certain-memory-of-the-way-in-which-my-father-loved-me-until/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [A couple of my favorite actors are Don Cheadle, Jeffrey Wright, and, may he rest in peace, Philip Seymour Hoffman. I've had an opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/a-couple-of-my-favorite-actors-are-don-cheadle-jeffrey-wright-and-may/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I didn't grow up feeling very handsome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-didn-t-grow-up-feeling-very-handsome/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I was at Stanford University up in the West Coast Bay Area, so the biggest song of my freshman year was 'I Got 5…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-was-at-stanford-university-up-in-the-west-coast-bay-area-so-the/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I try not to get too high off the highs or too low off the lows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-try-not-to-get-too-high-off-the-highs-or-too-low-off-the-lows/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and now my kids are growing up in Los Angeles, so that's culturally very different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-lived-in-st-louis-missouri-and-now-my-kids-are-growing-up-in-los/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I went to a college prep high school in St. Louis, Missouri. When I graduated from school, I owned this thing called the Headmaster's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-went-to-a-college-prep-high-school-in-st-louis-missouri-when-i/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [It's a very frightening feeling to feel like you can have a busted taillight or wear a hoodie or be playing in a park,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-s-a-very-frightening-feeling-to-feel-like-you-can-have-a-busted/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [I went to Target once and picked up three seasons of '24' - what I call the Jack Bauer power hour - and watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/i-went-to-target-once-and-picked-up-three-seasons-of-24-what-i-call/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) > [Busy is good, you know. Busy is better than bored, and there's more recognition. Like, I try to feign the anonymity which I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/busy-is-good-you-know-busy-is-better-than-bored-and-there-s-more/) [Sterling K. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) [Explore all 128 Sterling K. Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/) ## More Damaging quotes > [History was an incredibly damaging experience, and now it's over . . . in a sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/history-was-an-incredibly-damaging-experience-and-now-it-s-over-in-a/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Just as Wall Street needs to break the hold of the bonus culture, which drives risk-taking that is rational for individuals but damaging to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-schekman/just-as-wall-street-needs-to-break-the-hold-of-the-bonus-culture/) [Randy Schekman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-schekman/) > [I'm going to work with Republicans when they do things I agree with and I'm going to fight Republicans when they're doing things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/i-m-going-to-work-with-republicans-when-they-do-things-i-agree-with/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) > [I'm not an extreme tree-hugger. I do believe trees grow and are a useful agricultural product that can be harvested without damaging the ecology…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/i-m-not-an-extreme-tree-hugger-i-do-believe-trees-grow-and-are-a/) [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [How can we teach our children to be responsible beyond themselves and care for other human beings' welfare and for the welfare of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-reuben/how-can-we-teach-our-children-to-be-responsible-beyond-themselves-and/) [Gloria Reuben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-reuben/) > [The wrongful arrest of tens of thousands of British Muslims after the September 11 attacks can be explained by the very poor intelligence the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoff-mulgan/the-wrongful-arrest-of-tens-of-thousands-of-british-muslims-after-the/) [Geoff Mulgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoff-mulgan/) > [Violence is not a constitutionally protected right. Damaging property is not a constitutionally protected right; inciting violence is not a constitutionally protected right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-g-slay/violence-is-not-a-constitutionally-protected-right-damaging-property/) Francis G. Slay > [But if you know that something has been really vicious, you don't read it, you don't let it into your head. What's damaging is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigella-lawson/but-if-you-know-that-something-has-been-really-vicious-you-don-t-read/) [Nigella Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigella-lawson/) > [I think that Obama's failure to reestablish the rule of law in money matters is the most damaging thing that he's done - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howard-kunstler/i-think-that-obama-s-failure-to-reestablish-the-rule-of-law-in-money/) [James Howard Kunstler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howard-kunstler/) > [Your liver is your vital detoxification organ, and if it becomes overloaded with toxins from the food, drink, or medications you're consuming, you'll have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-somers/your-liver-is-your-vital-detoxification-organ-and-if-it-becomes/) [Suzanne Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-somers/) > [The most damaging phrase in the language is: 'It's always been done that way.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-hopper/the-most-damaging-phrase-in-the-language-is-it-s-always-been-done/) [Grace Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-hopper/) > [Playing favorites is one of the most damaging problems in any group of people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-whipple/playing-favorites-is-one-of-the-most-damaging-problems-in-any-group/) [Robert Whipple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-whipple/) > [Few things give rise to imprecise rhetoric like the issue of race. It's understandable, but damaging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/few-things-give-rise-to-imprecise-rhetoric-like-the-issue-of-race-it/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [Digital sound is damaging music; it's damaging the artists. It's so degrading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-iovine/digital-sound-is-damaging-music-it-s-damaging-the-artists-it-s-so/) [Jimmy Iovine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-iovine/) > [“You take the words in the sense which is most damaging to the argument.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-take-the-words-in-the-sense-which-is-most-damaging-to-the-argument/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) Browse all 82 Damaging quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's the people who don't recognize the racism within themselves that can be the most damaging because they don't see it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sterling K. Brown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the-racism-within-themselves-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Damaging" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the-racism-within-themselves-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad0/sterling-k-brown-3532_most_it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the_2095869.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's the people who don't recognize the racism within themselves that can be the most damaging because they…” — Sterling K. Brown", "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": "Sterling K. Brown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sterling-k-brown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It's the people who don't recognize...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the-racism-within-themselves-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sterling-k-brown/it-s-the-people-who-don-t-recognize-the-racism-within-themselves-that/#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 } } ] } ```