We in the Western world suffer from too many categories and classes; we've forgotten that we all still have diapers on. We've separated music from life.
Ornette ColemanRead
I decided, if I'm going to be poor and black and all, the least thing I'm going to do is to try and find out who I am. I created everything about me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes self-discovery and personal agency in defining one's identity despite societal challenges.
Ornette Coleman's quote reflects a powerful resolution to take control of one's identity in the face of adversity. By asserting that he would find out who he is regardless of his circumstances, Coleman highlights the importance of self-creation and the idea that one's identity is shaped by personal choices and actions rather than external factors. This message inspires individuals to embrace their uniqueness and actively participate in the molding of their own lives.
Themes
IdentitySelf-DiscoveryAgencyAdversityCreation
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to young adults about embracing their identities.
More from Ornette Coleman
All quotes →You don't have to worry about being a number one, number two, or number three. Numbers don't have anything to do with placement. Numbers only have something to do with repetition.
Ornette ColemanRead
You've got to realize. In the western world, regardless of what color you are, what title the music is, it's all played by the same notes.
Ornette ColemanRead
So, for instance, if you came to me, I'd ask, 'Do you want to write? Do you want to improvise? Why do you want to play this instrument? What do you want to do?'
Ornette ColemanRead
That's what I was trying to say when we were talking about sound. I think that every person, whether they play music or don't play music, has a sound - their own sound, that thing that you're talking about.
Ornette ColemanRead
It's just someone has labelled us as having a different label to do what you do. I find that labels are the worst thing in the world for artistic expression.
Ornette ColemanRead
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