--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being black is not a matter of…" description: "\"Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.\" — Steven Biko" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png" --- # Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black… ![“Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.” quote by Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png) > “Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.” [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Black identity is shaped by mindset, not just skin color, urging empowerment through self-awareness. **In simple terms:** Mindset defines black identity. Key Takeaway Cultivate empowering attitudes. Themes identity empowerment race Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - education - activism - community building - personal growth Key Concepts psychology social theory Questions to Reflect On - What attitudes reinforce your identity? - How can mindset shift societal views? A Different Perspective Physical traits alone cannot change societal perceptions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-reflection-2838469/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Mental attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-attitude/) [Pigmentation Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pigmentation-black-2838468/) [Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection/) [Reflection Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection-mental-1813170/) ## Related quotes > [Your world and everything in it is a reflection of your own mental attitude toward yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/your-world-and-everything-in-it-is-a-reflection-of-your-own-mental/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [“Your life is a perfect reflection of your mental and emotional habits. Building a better life is as simple as building better habits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indigo-ocean/your-life-is-a-perfect-reflection-of-your-mental-and-emotional-habits/) [Indigo Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indigo-ocean/) > [With constant practice, one can improve his physical body and mental attitude rapidly, thereby igniting the higher motives of making one’s self useful to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharma-mittra/with-constant-practice-one-can-improve-his-physical-body-and-mental/) [Dharma Mittra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharma-mittra/) > [“A positive mental attitude can change absolutely everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lacey-london/a-positive-mental-attitude-can-change-absolutely-everything/) [Lacey London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lacey-london/) > [Your own mental attitude is your real boss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-own-mental-attitude-is-your-real-boss/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Success or failure in business is caused more by mental attitude even than by mental capacity. Banish the fear-attitude; acquire the confident attitude. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dill-scott/success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused-more-by-mental-attitude-even/) [Walter Dill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dill-scott/) > [“Compassion can be roughly defined in terms of a state of mind that is nonviolent, nonharming, and nonaggressive. It is a mental attitude based…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/compassion-can-be-roughly-defined-in-terms-of-a-state-of-mind-that-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more gratefully we fix our minds on the Supreme when good things come to us, the more good things we will receive, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-d-wattles/the-more-gratefully-we-fix-our-minds-on-the-supreme-when-good-things/) [Wallace D. Wattles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-d-wattles/) > [There are seeds of happiness in every soul. Our mental attitude and dispositions constitute the environment in which these seeds germinate. There is as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-mckay/there-are-seeds-of-happiness-in-every-soul-our-mental-attitude-and/) [David O. McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-mckay/) > [Remember, the thoughts that you think and the statements you make regarding yourself determine your mental attitude. If you have a worthwhile objective, find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/remember-the-thoughts-that-you-think-and-the-statements-you-make/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [If you want to catch the right mental attitude, go where that attitude exists. Start by going to the people who have the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-want-to-catch-the-right-mental-attitude-go-where-that-attitude/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can't be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/having-a-positive-mental-attitude-is-asking-how-something-can-be-done/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So much of sport is that mental attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/so-much-of-sport-is-that-mental-attitude/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Our mental attitude transforms a situation into either a problem or an opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geshe-kelsang-gyatso/our-mental-attitude-transforms-a-situation-into-either-a-problem-or/) [Geshe Kelsang Gyatso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geshe-kelsang-gyatso/) > [Mental attitude and concentration are the keys to pitching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferguson-jenkins/mental-attitude-and-concentration-are-the-keys-to-pitching/) [Ferguson Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferguson-jenkins/) ## More by Steven Biko > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [I am against the fact that a settler minority should impose an entire system of values on an indigenous people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/i-am-against-the-fact-that-a-settler-minority-should-impose-an-entire/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [The wealth of the country must eventually be enjoyed by people of the country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/the-wealth-of-the-country-must-eventually-be-enjoyed-by-people-of-the/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [When you say 'Black is beautiful' you are saying, 'Man you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/when-you-say-black-is-beautiful-you-are-saying-man-you-are-okay-as/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [Black Consciousness seeks to infuse the black community with a new-found pride in themselves, their efforts, their value systems, their culture, their religion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/black-consciousness-seeks-to-infuse-the-black-community-with-a-new/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [If one is free at heart, no man-made chains can bind one to servitude, but if one's mind is so manipulated and controlled by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/if-one-is-free-at-heart-no-man-made-chains-can-bind-one-to-servitude/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [The blacks are tired of standing at the touchlines to witness a game that they should be playing. They want to do things for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/the-blacks-are-tired-of-standing-at-the-touchlines-to-witness-a-game/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [In a bid for change, we have to take off our coats, be prepared to lose our comfort and security, our jobs and positions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/in-a-bid-for-change-we-have-to-take-off-our-coats-be-prepared-to-lose/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [The press is largely directed at white society or the so-called electorate whose values are laced with racial prejudice against black people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/the-press-is-largely-directed-at-white-society-or-the-so-called/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [Sure there are a few good whites just as much as there are a few bad Blacks. However what we are concerned here with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/sure-there-are-a-few-good-whites-just-as-much-as-there-are-a-few-bad/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [Apartheid - both petty and grand - is obviously evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/apartheid-both-petty-and-grand-is-obviously-evil/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [We believe it is the duty of the vanguard political movement which brings change to educate people's outlook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-believe-it-is-the-duty-of-the-vanguard-political-movement-which/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [The black man has become a shell, a shadow of man, completely defeated, drowning in his own misery, a slave, an ox bearing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/the-black-man-has-become-a-shell-a-shadow-of-man-completely-defeated/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realise that the only vehicle for change are these people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/it-becomes-more-necessary-to-see-the-truth-as-it-is-if-you-realise/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [To a large extent the evil-doers have succeeded in producing at the output end of their machine a kind of black man who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/to-a-large-extent-the-evil-doers-have-succeeded-in-producing-at-the/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) [Explore all 62 Steven Biko quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Biko" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentation-being-black-is-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentation-being-black-is-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad6/steven-biko-10985_attitude_being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentat_1905558.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.” — Steven Biko", "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": "Steven Biko", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Being black is not a matter...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentation-being-black-is-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/being-black-is-not-a-matter-of-pigmentation-being-black-is-a/#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 } } ] } ```