“The reason people think it’s important to be white is that they think it’s important not to be black.”

Simplified Meaning:

This quote is saying that the value some people place on being white comes from fear or negativity about being black. It's like when kids at school might think it's really important to fit in with the popular group because they want to avoid being picked on or left out. Let’s think about a neighborhood where some homes are seen as better just because they are newer. People might think it’s super important to live in those new homes because they don’t want others to think they can only afford an old, run-down house. In life, sometimes people give importance to certain things because of underlying fears or prejudices against something else. So, if someone holds being white in high regard, it might be because they have negative ideas about being black. Understanding this can help to combat those negative ideas by recognizing that these biases aren't fair or valid.