Everybody needs to show respect to each others' ways and the cultural life that you get on this planet. Don't get caught up on 'I'm brown, black, white, red, blue, whatever.' You gotta ask, what were you called before 1492? All these names we're using now are just an illusion made to keep us fighting each other.

Afrika Bambaataa’s quote addresses the importance of respecting and appreciating the diversity of cultures and ways of life across the globe. He stresses that we should look beyond the labels and divisions that have historically been imposed on people, such as race or ethnicity. Bambaataa suggests that these labels—such as brown, black, white, red, blue—are artificial constructs created to divide us, and that we should instead focus on the shared humanity we all share, regardless of appearance or background.

He challenges us to consider the question, "What were you called before 1492?" referencing the time before colonization and the European influence that led to the development of racial categories and national identities. His point is that many of the divisions we accept as natural today were created only after the arrival of European explorers in the Americas. In this way, the identities and labels we now use are just an illusion, and they were designed to separate and control people by fostering conflict and division.

Bambaataa’s message is one of unity and inclusivity, urging people to move past artificial labels and recognize the common bond that unites all cultures. He advocates for understanding and respect for one another's backgrounds and traditions, rather than succumbing to the forces that seek to keep people at odds. The goal is to overcome the idea that our differences define us and instead recognize that we are all part of a larger, shared global community.

Ultimately, Bambaataa is calling for a more harmonious world where cultural differences are celebrated, not used as tools to fuel conflict. His quote serves as a reminder to look at the bigger picture, to remember our common origins, and to reject the artificial divisions that have been imposed by history.