I'm not interested in living in a world where my race is not a part of who I am. I am interested in living in a world where our races, no matter what they are, don't define our trajectory in life.
Interpretation
This quote speaks to the importance of race as an identity while advocating for a world where race does not determine one's opportunities or future.
Kerry Washington emphasizes the duality of racial identity, expressing pride in her heritage while yearning for a society that transcends racial boundaries. She envisions a future where individuals are not limited or defined by their race, but instead have the freedom to shape their own paths, regardless of their backgrounds. This sentiment calls for a deeper understanding and acceptance of diversity while promoting equality and inclusion.
In practice
This quote can be used during a diversity and inclusion workshop to emphasize the importance of seeing beyond racial identities.
The breakdown of the black community, in order to maintain slavery, began with the breakdown of the black family. Men and women were not legally allowed to get married because you couldn't have that kind of love. It might get in the way of the economics of slavery. Your children could be taken from you and literally sold down the river.
I don't want to not be African. The goal is to live in a world where my race doesn't limit my access, where I can see myself represented in the highest level of society without any limitation.
There are a lot of forms of exercise where you have to leave yourself out of the room while you force yourself to do this thing. With Pilates, I get to bring my true self. I cry, I laugh. I get to go, 'Where is my body today? What do I need today? How can I take care of myself and push myself past my comfort zone?'
I think as a whole America is dealing with the issue of homophobia. We got to be really honest about whether we believe in civil rights for all people or not. As Black people we need to remember the moment that we say it's okay to disenfranchise one segment of society, we're opening the door to move backward on ourselves.
Look, I get it. Whether it's school, work, family, we've all got a lot on our minds. People say to me, "I'm just too busy to think about politics." But here's the thing: You may not be thinking about politics, but politics is thinking about you.
You and you alone are the only person that can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell. And the world needs your story because the world needs your voice.
Oh, my ways are strange ways and new ways and old ways, And deep ways and steep ways and high ways and low, I'm at home and at ease on a track that I know not, And restless and lost on a road that I know.
We have been poisoned by fairy tales.
Could it think, the heart would stop beating.
So many things I had thought forgotten Return to my mind with stranger pain: Like letters that arrive addressed to someone Who left the house so many years ago.
Humanity? Humanity is not concerned with us. Today anything is allowed. Anything is possible.
The lotus grows in muddy waters but this flower does not show any trace of it: So we have to live in the world.
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