Racism is taught in our society, it is not automatic. It is learned behavior toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics.

Meaning of the quote

Racism is something that people learn, not something they are born with. It is a way of treating people differently just because they look different from you. Racism is not natural or normal - it is a behavior that is taught to us by the people and society around us.

About Alex Haley

Alex Haley was an acclaimed American writer best known for his groundbreaking works, including the 1976 book ‘Roots: The Saga of an American Family’ and his collaboration with Malcolm X on the autobiography. His work had a significant impact on raising public awareness of Black American history and inspiring interest in genealogy.

More about the author

More quotes from Alex Haley

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

Racism is taught in our society, it is not automatic. It is learned behavior toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

In my writing, as much as I could, I tried to find the good, and praise it.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

When you start about family, about lineage and ancestry, you are talking about every person on earth.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

Roots is not just a saga of my family. It is the symbolic saga of a people.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

My fondest hope is that ‘Roots’ may start black, white, brown, red, yellow people digging back for their own roots. Man, that would make me feel 90 feet tall.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist

I look at my books the way parents look at their children. The fact that one becomes more successful than the others doesn’t make me love the less successful one any less.

Alex Haley

American biographer, screenwriter, and novelist