Ellis Cose Quotes

4 Sourced Quotes

Black men are not "endangered species," not in the sense of, say, the peregrine falcon or the bog turtle, whose long-term existences on Earth are in question. We stand nearly seventeen million strong, an ever-growing extended family of black boys and men.

Ellis Cose

Despite its very evident prosperity, much of America's black middle class is in excruciating pain. And that distress—although most of the country does not see it—illuminates a serious American problem: the problem of the broken covenant, of the pact ensuring that if you work hard, get a good education, and play by the rules, you will be allowed to advance and achieve to the limits of your ability.

Ellis Cose

Racial discussions tend to be conducted at one of two levels—either shouts or whispers. The shouters are generally so twisted by pain or ignorance that spectators tune them out. The whisperers are so afraid of the sting of truth that they avoid saying much of anything at all.

Ellis Cose

Weak as its scientific foundation may be, race is an essential part of who we are (and how we see others) that is no more easily shed than unpleasant memories. Few of us would choose to be rendered raceless—to be suddenly without a tribe.

Ellis Cose