Experience Quote by Ta-Nehisi Coates
“Racism is a physical experience.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Between the World and Me, 2015
Racism affects the body, shaping daily lived experience and perception.
In simple terms: Racism is felt physically.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address bodily impacts of racism.
Themes
racism
embodiment
social justice
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
sociopolitical
personal
When to use this quote
- healthcare
- education
- public spaces
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
intersectionality
systemic oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- How does racism manifest in your body?
- What can you do to ease physical stress caused by racism?
A Different Perspective
Physical experience varies; not all racism is overt.
![“[Winning the White House was an achievement], but as an African-American, [Barack Obama], I think the symbolism is in how he conducted himself. The symbolism was in - and this sounds really, really small, but it's actually big for African-Americans - the symbolism was not in being an…” quote by Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5dc/ta-nehisi-coates-733_achievement_winning-the-white-house-was-an-achieveme_47651.jpg)
![“[Grew up in Hawaii] that gave [Barack Obama] a kind of optimism, an ability to see things, you know, and frankly, an ability to trust, you know, in his fellow, you know, white countrymen in a way that I, for instance, you know, and the vast majority of black people I know never really could.” quote by Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/feb/ta-nehisi-coates-733_ability_grew-up-in-hawaii-that-gave-barack-obama_75931.jpg)
