When it does happen that the Negro looks fiercely at the white man, the white man tells him: “Brother, there is no difference between us.” And yet the Negro knows that there is a difference. He wants it. He wants the white man to turn on him and shout: “Damn nigger.” Then he would have that unique chance–to “show them. . . .” … But most often there is nothing–nothing but indifference, or a paternalistic curiosity.

Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, loc. 801