--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As white Americans, we sometimes think…" description: "\"As white Americans, we sometimes think it's enough to say that we aren't racist. But that's selfish - that's just being worried about ourselves.\" — Tom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png" --- # As white Americans, we sometimes think it's enough to say… ![“As white Americans, we sometimes think it's enough to say that we aren't racist. But that's selfish - that's just being worried about ourselves.” quote by Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png) > “As white Americans, we sometimes think it's enough to say that we aren't racist. But that's selfish - that's just being worried about ourselves.” [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledging personal comfort does not address systemic racism; true allyship requires confronting one's own privilege and acting against injustice. **In simple terms:** Saying you're not racist isn't enough; you must act against racism. Key Takeaway Actively confront privilege and support anti‑racist actions. Themes racism privilege social responsibility Mood reflective serious Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - team leadership - community activism - policy advocacy - education programs Key Concepts anti‑racism self‑reflection allyity Questions to Reflect On - How can you move from comfort to action? - What steps can you take to support marginalized voices? A Different Perspective Self‑interest can hinder genuine solidarity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Americans Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-think/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Racist Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racist-selfish-2071590/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-just-436691/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white/) [White Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/white-americans/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not selfish. I just like things my way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-selfish-i-just-like-things-my-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some things you just have to do for yourself not being selfish just productive...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-things-you-just-have-to-do-for-yourself-not-being-selfish-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most white Americans only discovered the blues with the British invasion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-wood/most-white-americans-only-discovered-the-blues-with-the-british/) [Ronnie Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-wood/) > [Choosing to be single isn't selfish, it's just smarter to be alone than with the WRONG person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/choosing-to-be-single-isn-t-selfish-it-s-just-smarter-to-be-alone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Maybe I'm too selfish to just be a producer. Also, I feel like I have something to say that's interesting or unique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mura-masa/maybe-i-m-too-selfish-to-just-be-a-producer-also-i-feel-like-i-have/) [Mura Masa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mura-masa/) > [“I have two choices in life: I either try to do the right thing and get accused of being selfish, or I just do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/i-have-two-choices-in-life-i-either-try-to-do-the-right-thing-and-get/) [Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/) > [Choosing to be single isnt selfish, its just smarter to be alone than with the wrong person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laine/choosing-to-be-single-isnt-selfish-its-just-smarter-to-be-alone-than/) [Laine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laine/) > [I'm trying so hard to win or make the right play or whatever, that you know, it kind of comes off as being selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-randle/i-m-trying-so-hard-to-win-or-make-the-right-play-or-whatever-that-you/) [Julius Randle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-randle/) > [We all are selfish, some of us just happen to render some selfless services in the process of our selfish acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-rho/we-all-are-selfish-some-of-us-just-happen-to-render-some-selfless/) [Emmanuel Rho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-rho/) > [It sounds so incredibly selfish, but you just can't earn the same money doing theater as you can doing television and film. I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-lee-miller/it-sounds-so-incredibly-selfish-but-you-just-can-t-earn-the-same/) [Jonny Lee Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-lee-miller/) > [Being over protective doesn't means that you're selfish sometimes its just one way of letting people know that yours is yours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arteme/being-over-protective-doesn-t-means-that-you-re-selfish-sometimes-its/) [John Arteme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arteme/) > [It's ten o'clock on a Wednesday and I know you're at home Driving up and down your street hoping that you come outside 'Cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/it-s-ten-o-clock-on-a-wednesday-and-i-know-you-re-at-home-driving-up/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [Sometimes you have to ignore your heart because it will make you lost and suffer, there is nothing wrong for being selfish just once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-louise/sometimes-you-have-to-ignore-your-heart-because-it-will-make-you-lost/) [Donna Louise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-louise/) > [Sadgirl: don't make me feel that I'm selfish just because I made you cry.. Sadguy: then don't make me feel like I did nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-andos/sadgirl-don-t-make-me-feel-that-i-m-selfish-just-because-i-made-you/) [Dimple Andos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-andos/) > [I guess I'm ok wit just being your friend as long as I'm still in your àlife àI'm ok :) I'll b sad dat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chacha-talk/i-guess-i-m-ok-wit-just-being-your-friend-as-long-as-i-m-still-in/) [Chacha Talk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chacha-talk/) ## More by Tom Izzo > [Time doesn't heal, time helps heal and learning helps heal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/time-doesn-t-heal-time-helps-heal-and-learning-helps-heal/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I'm a pizza guy, so yes, I love cheese!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-m-a-pizza-guy-so-yes-i-love-cheese/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [In 2009 we were pretty good but North Carolina would have beaten some NBA teams that year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/in-2009-we-were-pretty-good-but-north-carolina-would-have-beaten-some/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-m-pleased-to-say-i-am-here-for-life-at-michigan-state/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [There's efforts to win games and there's efforts to win championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/there-s-efforts-to-win-games-and-there-s-efforts-to-win-championships/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [Words can't truly express what Mike Garland means to me. We've been friends since we met the first night in college and basically have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/words-can-t-truly-express-what-mike-garland-means-to-me-we-ve-been/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I want to go to Scotland in particular. If I had a bucket list, that would be on my bucket list.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-want-to-go-to-scotland-in-particular-if-i-had-a-bucket-list-that/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [If I'm going to be responsible to get blamed for something, I'd like to have the ability to do something about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/if-i-m-going-to-be-responsible-to-get-blamed-for-something-i-d-like/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I've never run from anything in my life, nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-ve-never-run-from-anything-in-my-life-nothing/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [Today's society wants to skip the process. And I hate that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/today-s-society-wants-to-skip-the-process-and-i-hate-that/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [It's not my job to judge one of my athletes. Everybody is different. Some are the partying type, some are the studying type, some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/it-s-not-my-job-to-judge-one-of-my-athletes-everybody-is-different/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [No comment always means you're hiding something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/no-comment-always-means-you-re-hiding-something/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I feel like I spend a lot of time in the inner cities and around different people, and always felt like I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-feel-like-i-spend-a-lot-of-time-in-the-inner-cities-and-around/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I just think there's something about being in the Olympics, even though I think it's been tarnished a little bit by commercialization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-just-think-there-s-something-about-being-in-the-olympics-even/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) > [I think we all are coaches in our own respect because we have to try to figure out a way to help make people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/i-think-we-all-are-coaches-in-our-own-respect-because-we-have-to-try/) [Tom Izzo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) [Explore all 111 Tom Izzo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As white Americans, we sometimes think it's enough to say that we aren't racist. But that's selfish - that's just being worried about ourselves.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Izzo" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it-s-enough-to-say-that-we-aren/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it-s-enough-to-say-that-we-aren/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/tom-izzo-4431_being_as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it_1805685.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As white Americans, we sometimes think it's enough to say that we aren't racist. But that's selfish - that's…” — Tom Izzo", "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": "Tom Izzo", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-izzo/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As white Americans, we sometimes think...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it-s-enough-to-say-that-we-aren/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-izzo/as-white-americans-we-sometimes-think-it-s-enough-to-say-that-we-aren/#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 } } ] } ```