In '42,' it's like the '40s where racial equality had come into the consciousness of a lot of people, whereas in the 1900s it was sort of a new thing.

Andre Holland’s quote, "In '42,' it's like the '40s where racial equality had come into the consciousness of a lot of people, whereas in the 1900s it was sort of a new thing," reflects on the growing awareness and importance of racial equality in the early 1940s. Holland is drawing a comparison between two distinct periods—the 1900s and the 1940s—suggesting that by the 1940s, racial equality had become more of a mainstream issue in society, as opposed to earlier in the 20th century when it was still gaining traction.

The reference to "racial equality" being part of the "consciousness" of many people by the 1940s points to a time when societal attitudes about race were beginning to shift, influenced by movements such as the civil rights movement and key events like World War II. Holland suggests that the 1940s marked a pivotal period when issues of race and equality were beginning to gain more widespread attention, setting the stage for the more intense civil rights struggles of the following decades.

In contrast, Holland implies that in the earlier part of the 1900s, the notion of racial equality was still emerging, with much of society not fully engaged with or accepting of the idea. The 1900s saw the rise of segregation, Jim Crow laws, and other institutional barriers to racial equality, making the concept of full equality for Black Americans and other racial minorities a relatively new and contentious issue.

The origin of this quote likely stems from Andre Holland’s reflections on history and his perspective as an actor and cultural commentator, who often engages with issues of race and representation in his work. Holland is known for his roles in productions that tackle racial themes, such as "42", a film that deals with Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier in Major League Baseball. His quote situates racial equality within the broader historical context of American race relations, highlighting its shifting prominence over time.