--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes black people really want to…" description: "\"Sometimes black people really want to hold onto our oppression - 'This is ours! This belongs to us.' You can't just talk about equality for somebody el..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg" --- # Sometimes black people really want to hold onto our… ![“Sometimes black people really want to hold onto our oppression - 'This is ours! This belongs to us.' You can't just talk about equality for somebody else. Let's pass it on. Let's pass it on to somebody else. At the end of the day, it is all about inequality.” quote by Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg) > “Sometimes black people really want to hold onto our oppression - 'This is ours! This belongs to us.' You can't just talk about equality for somebody else. Let's pass it on. Let's pass it on to somebody else. At the end of the day, it is all about inequality.” [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) ## 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 critiques how some oppressed groups may cling to their victim status, perpetuating inequality rather than seeking true equality. **In simple terms:** Holding onto oppression sustains inequality. Key Takeaway Challenge narratives that sustain oppression. Themes equality identity social dynamics Mood critical provocative Type social commentary humor When to use this quote - Community activism - policy reform - education programs - dialogue circles Key Concepts Victimhood power structures psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can we encourage empowerment without blaming victims? - What role does leadership play in shifting narratives? A Different Perspective Not all individuals within a group share this mindset; change requires nuanced approaches. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Black people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-people/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [End of the day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-day/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Inequality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inequality/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) ## Related quotes > [All this talk of equality remains merely on paper. In real life, women are still bound by several psychological shackles and emotional boundaries imposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sangram-singh/all-this-talk-of-equality-remains-merely-on-paper-in-real-life-women/) [Sangram Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sangram-singh/) > [People may talk about the equality of the sexes! They are not equal. The silent smile of a sensible, loving woman will vanquish ten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/people-may-talk-about-the-equality-of-the-sexes-they-are-not-equal/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“Girls say to me, very reasonably, 'why isn't it a bunch of girls? Why did you write this about a bunch of boys?' Well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/girls-say-to-me-very-reasonably-why-isn-t-it-a-bunch-of-girls-why-did/) [William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/) > [People just like to talk about equality, but it is difficult for them to see any change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-chakraborty/people-just-like-to-talk-about-equality-but-it-is-difficult-for-them/) [Mimi Chakraborty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-chakraborty/) > [“All this talk of equality between the sexes is merely an expression of sex-hate. Men and women should learn tenderness to each other and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/all-this-talk-of-equality-between-the-sexes-is-merely-an-expression/) [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) > [All this talk about equality. The only thing people really have in common is that they are all going to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/all-this-talk-about-equality-the-only-thing-people-really-have-in/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Ours is a stable country. Ours is a sensible country. And ours is a fundamentally decent country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kennedy/ours-is-a-stable-country-ours-is-a-sensible-country-and-ours-is-a/) [Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/) > [It was not the president's responsibility to run a law enforcement operation. It was ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reno/it-was-not-the-president-s-responsibility-to-run-a-law-enforcement/) [Janet Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reno/) > [Why, der language down dar in de far South is jus' as different from ours in Maryland, as you can think. Dey laughed when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-tubman/why-der-language-down-dar-in-de-far-south-is-jus-as-different-from/) [Harriet Tubman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-tubman/) > [If we cannot come together to pause, to respect our dead and the heroic lives of meaning they led, then ours is truly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-mckinnon/if-we-cannot-come-together-to-pause-to-respect-our-dead-and-the/) [Mark McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-mckinnon/) > [Being the youngest, I was a bit of a daddy's girl and sought attention from an early age by singing. I don't know where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-dee/being-the-youngest-i-was-a-bit-of-a-daddy-s-girl-and-sought-attention/) [Kiki Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-dee/) > [In such a therapeutic, pragmatic, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps society as ours, the message of God having to do all the work in saving us comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/in-such-a-therapeutic-pragmatic-pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [We are here to do God's work. He's not here to do ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/we-are-here-to-do-god-s-work-he-s-not-here-to-do-ours/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [I am grateful that I live in a nation where most believe that one's punishment should fit their wrongdoing and that ours is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rose/i-am-grateful-that-i-live-in-a-nation-where-most-believe-that-one-s/) [Pete Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rose/) > [“You deicde, and you make our night what you want. Brilliant and ours. Stupid and theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-phillips/you-deicde-and-you-make-our-night-what-you-want-brilliant-and-ours/) [Arthur Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-phillips/) ## More by Wanda Sykes > [If you don't believe in same-sex marriage, then don't marry somebody of the same sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/if-you-don-t-believe-in-same-sex-marriage-then-don-t-marry-somebody/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [There are just so many more laws and rules that apply with marriage that do not come with domestic partnership and also to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/there-are-just-so-many-more-laws-and-rules-that-apply-with-marriage/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I hate when women compare men to dogs. Men are not dogs. Dogs are loyal. I've never found any strange panties in my dog's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-hate-when-women-compare-men-to-dogs-men-are-not-dogs-dogs-are-loyal/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I have a funny family, but none of them are remotely in show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-have-a-funny-family-but-none-of-them-are-remotely-in-show-business/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I have a well-balanced show. It's 50/50 on men/women, and also African-American/white writers, it's the same thing. I have four African-American writers, and four…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-have-a-well-balanced-show-it-s-50-50-on-men-women-and-also-african/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [A woman would pitch a joke. Nothing. Then a guy would pitch it and everybody would laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/a-woman-would-pitch-a-joke-nothing-then-a-guy-would-pitch-it-and/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [The government shouldn't be involved in this because it's very simple. If you don't believe in same-sex marriage, then don't marry somebody of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/the-government-shouldn-t-be-involved-in-this-because-it-s-very-simple/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [When my parents send me emails the first 3 are blank.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/when-my-parents-send-me-emails-the-first-3-are-blank/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [It's easier to rip somebody to shreds while you're making them laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/it-s-easier-to-rip-somebody-to-shreds-while-you-re-making-them-laugh/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [Yeah, I had top-secret clearance and everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/yeah-i-had-top-secret-clearance-and-everything/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I knew something was wrong with the economy when the shampoo girl at my salon closed on a six bedroom house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-knew-something-was-wrong-with-the-economy-when-the-shampoo-girl-at/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [If you're passionate about your work, it makes the people around you want to be involved too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/if-you-re-passionate-about-your-work-it-makes-the-people-around-you/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I watch Jay. I watch 'Letterman'. I flip back and forth between 'Conan' and 'Letterman', especially the top of the show for those guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-watch-jay-i-watch-letterman-i-flip-back-and-forth-between-conan-and/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I always had one goal, and that was to be a real funny stand-up comic, and that's pretty much what I'm doing. And everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-always-had-one-goal-and-that-was-to-be-a-real-funny-stand-up-comic/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) > [I watched a lot of comedy growing up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/i-watched-a-lot-of-comedy-growing-up/) [Wanda Sykes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) [Explore all 121 Wanda Sykes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/) ## More About quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [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/) > [With 'Pretty Girls,' I saw the opportunity to talk not just about crime but what crime leaves behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/with-pretty-girls-i-saw-the-opportunity-to-talk-not-just-about-crime/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [I write about presidents. That means I write about guys - so far. I'm interested in the people closest to them, the people they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-kearns-goodwin/i-write-about-presidents-that-means-i-write-about-guys-so-far-i-m/) [Doris Kearns Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-kearns-goodwin/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I learned a lot about myself at Oakmont.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-lowry/i-learned-a-lot-about-myself-at-oakmont/) [Shane Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-lowry/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Sport is not just about entertainment. It is equally about winning and losing, pooling and galvanising the energy of the youth, upgrading people's physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-ambani/sport-is-not-just-about-entertainment-it-is-equally-about-winning-and/) [Nita Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-ambani/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [I didn't want to do 'Fashion Police' because I thought, 'This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?' It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/i-didn-t-want-to-do-fashion-police-because-i-thought-this-is-stupid/) [Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/) > [I just worried about my weight. Worried about my appearance and thought I wan't pretty enough to be a pop star. It was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-durham/i-just-worried-about-my-weight-worried-about-my-appearance-and/) [Judith Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-durham/) > [I read a couple of books about neuroscience and the relationship between the mind and the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-read-a-couple-of-books-about-neuroscience-and-the-relationship/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) > [There are a lot of kids out there copying and distributing movies - not because they care about seeing the movies or sharing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/there-are-a-lot-of-kids-out-there-copying-and-distributing-movies-not/) [John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) Browse all 26,122 About quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes black people really want to hold onto our oppression - 'This is ours! This belongs to us.' You can't just talk about equality for somebody else. Let's pass it on. Let's pass it on to somebody else. At the end of the day, it is all about inequality.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wanda Sykes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-hold-onto-our-oppression-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "About" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-hold-onto-our-oppression-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7db/wanda-sykes-3827_about_sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-ho_1463372.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Sometimes black people really want to hold onto our oppression - 'This is ours! This belongs to us.' You…” — Wanda Sykes", "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": "Wanda Sykes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-sykes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sometimes black people really want to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-hold-onto-our-oppression-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-sykes/sometimes-black-people-really-want-to-hold-onto-our-oppression-this/#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 } } ] } ```