--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The white American is not innately…" description: "\"“The white American is not innately racist. I sense innate docility. He will follow the law if the leadership tells him to do that. He would not rebel ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd2/studs-terkel-3020_quote_the-white-american-is-not-innately-racis_2078485.jpg" --- # The white American is not innately racist. I sense innate… ![“The white American is not innately racist. I sense innate docility. He will follow the law if the leadership tells him to do that. He would not rebel if he thought he'd be punished. But if the laws are flouted and winked at, he'll wink, too.' - interview with Leona Brady” quote by Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd2/studs-terkel-3020_quote_the-white-american-is-not-innately-racis_2078485.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd2/studs-terkel-3020_quote_the-white-american-is-not-innately-racis_2078485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd2/studs-terkel-3020_quote_the-white-american-is-not-innately-racis_2078485.jpg) > ““The white American is not innately racist. I sense innate docility. He will follow the law if the leadership tells him to do that. He would not rebel if he thought he'd be punished. But if the laws are flouted and winked at, he'll wink, too.' - interview with Leona Brady”” [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker suggests that white Americans are not inherently racist but are docile, obeying laws when authority enforces them, yet may also law when laws are ignored. **In simple terms:** People obey laws when authority is clear, but may also ignore them if they see inconsistency. Key Takeaway Recognize the power of consistent enforcement. Themes social behavior authority obedience Mood critical analytical Type sociological philosophical When to use this quote - law enforcement - community standards - political leadership - civil disobedience Key Concepts social psychology conformity legal compliance Questions to Reflect On - How does perceived fairness affect obedience? - What role does personal morality play? A Different Perspective Assumes uniform behavior across diverse individuals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American Innately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-innately-4047812/) [Innate Docility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innate-docility-4047814/) [Innately Racist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innately-racist-4047813/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Racist Sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racist-sense-4046353/) [White American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-american-355377/) ## Related quotes > [The question of whether one alleges the Superiority or Inferiority of any given race is irrelevant; racism has only one psychological root: the racist's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-question-of-whether-one-alleges-the-superiority-or-inferiority-of/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [To some Americans, there was no possible way I could naturally be the daughter of this white American; I had to be from someplace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-wagner/to-some-americans-there-was-no-possible-way-i-could-naturally-be-the/) [Alex Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-wagner/) > [I sometimes think the contemporary white American is more culturally deprived than the Indian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-scott-momaday/i-sometimes-think-the-contemporary-white-american-is-more-culturally/) [N. 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So when those two groups try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-emerson/we-do-not-have-an-american-culture-we-have-a-white-american-culture/) [Michael Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-emerson/) > [Most of black America is in housing projects, without jobs, living on welfare. And this is not the case in 'The Cosby Show,' because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/most-of-black-america-is-in-housing-projects-without-jobs-living-on/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) ## More by Studs Terkel > [My epitaph? My epitaph will be, 'Curiosity did not kill this cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/my-epitaph-my-epitaph-will-be-curiosity-did-not-kill-this-cat/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [“It was in ’35—we had this campaign to raise a million tax dollars. 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