Quote by Jesse Jackson
Racism as a form of skin worship, and as a sickness and a pathological anxiety for America, is so great, until the poor whites -- rather than fighting for jobs or education -- fight to remain pink and fight to remain white. And therefore they cannot see an alliance with people that they feel to be inherently inferior.
Summary
This quote by Toni Morrison suggests that racism in America is deeply ingrained as a result of valuing certain skin tones over others. It highlights how racism becomes a psychological problem that afflicts not only marginalized communities but also impoverished white individuals who prioritize maintaining their perceived superiority. As a consequence, they fail to acknowledge the potential alliances that could be formed with those they consider inferior. This quote underscores the damaging impact of racism, portraying it as a obstacle to achieving collective progress and equality.