I think art is a healing force, and if we give in to the joy that can be found in art, then we are able to sustain ourselves in spite of ourselves.
Ntozake ShangeRead
Luckily, my father and my mother liked us to talk, so they encouraged us to talk, so that the girls in my house, they're all very powerful speakers and powerful agents of their own will, as is my brother.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of communication and encouragement within a family to foster strong individual voices.
Ntozake Shange reflects on her family's encouragement for open dialogue, highlighting how such an environment empowers each member, especially the girls, to become confident speakers and assertive individuals. This nurturing of expression and agency within the family unit plays a crucial role in shaping strong, independent personalities.
Themes
FamilyCommunicationEmpowermentEncouragementSpeaking
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on the importance of family values during a public speech.
More from Ntozake Shange
All quotes →Where there is a woman there is magic. If there is a moon falling from her mouth, she is a woman who knows her magic, who can share or not share her powers. A woman with a moon falling from her mouth, roses between her legs and tiaras of Spanish moss, this woman is a consort of the spirits.
Ntozake ShangeRead
I write for young girls of color, for girls who don’t even exist yet, so that there is something there for them when they arrive. I can only change how they live, not how they think.
Ntozake ShangeRead
i usedta live in the world really be in the world free & sweet talkin good mornin & thank-you & nice day uh huh i cant now i cant be nice to nobody nice is such a rip-off regular beauty & a smile in the street is just a set-up
Ntozake ShangeRead
one thing I don’t need is any more apologies i got sorry greetin me at my front door you can keep yrs i don’t know what to do wit em they don’t open doors or bring the sun back they don’t make me happy or get a mornin paper didn’t nobody stop usin my tears to wash cars cuz a sorry.
Ntozake ShangeRead
The slaves who were ourselves had known terror intimately, confused sunrise with pain, & accepted indifference as kindness.
Ntozake ShangeRead
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