Good is towing the line, being behaved, being quiet, being passive, fitting in, being liked, and great is being messy, having a belly, speaking your mind, standing up for what you believe in, fighting for another paradigm, not letting people talk you out of what you know to be true.
Interpretation
The quote contrasts the norms of good behavior with the bravery of being authentic and true to oneself.
Eve Ensler's quote highlights the difference between conforming to societal expectations—represented by being 'good'—and embracing one's true self and ideals, which may often be seen as 'messy' or unconventional. It encourages individuals to speak their minds and advocate for their beliefs, fostering a sense of empowerment and personal integrity over societal approval.
In practice
During a motivational speech to encourage students to embrace their uniqueness.
Dancing insists we take up space, and though it has no set direction, we go there together. Dance is dangerous, joyous, sexual, holy, disruptive, and contagious and it breaks the rules. It can happen anywhere, at anytime, with anyone and everyone, and it's free. Dance joins us and pushes us to go further and that is why it's at the center of ONE BILLION RISING.
Before cancer, I was obviously disconnected. I had a tumor the size of a mango inside me and didn't do anything about it. It wasn't like I didn't know something was wrong.
It's a weird thing about the truth: It protects you. What really makes you vulnerable is when you're lying because you're going to get caught. When you tell the truth, there's a strange relief that comes.
Well, the tyranny of masculinity and the tyranny of patriarchy I think has been much more deadly to men than it has to women. It hasn’t killed our hearts. It’s killed men’s hearts. It’s silenced them, it’s cut them off.
Why are women immobile? Because so many feel like they’re waiting for someone to say, "You’re good, you’re pretty, I give you permission."
Security is elusive. It's impossible. We all die. We all get old. We all get sick. People leave us. People change us. Nothing is secure.
Yes, I did feel a special responsibility to be the first American woman in space.
For me, personally, I feel like that's my duty while I'm on this earth is to serve others and use my blessing to bless others. If I'm not doing that, I feel like I'm not serving my purpose. That's my goal, that's my passion, and that's what I intend to do for the rest of my life.
He who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the winds. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him. Most men yield to the stress of the current... Only here and there the stout, strong heart and vigorous arms struggle on toward ultimate success.
The headmaster asked to read one of my poems at some celebration or other when I was about 10. When I look back, that is phenomenal encouragement.
The French say you get hungry when you’re eating, and I get inspired when I’m working. It’s my engine.
Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that generation
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