People have told me that Ive helped them feel confident, like they can say things they want to say. They can talk about feminism in class without people calling them a lesbian. Thats so amazing that I can make someone feel like that.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the impact of empowerment on self-expression and confidence.
In this quote, Lorde expresses her fulfillment in helping others feel empowered to express their thoughts and beliefs, particularly around topics like feminism. She emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space where individuals can voice their opinions without fear of judgment, showcasing the transformative power of support and understanding in fostering confidence and open dialogue.
In practice
In a speech about gender equality, you might quote Lorde to inspire openness in discussions.
With pop music and pop musicians, you know everything about everyone all the time, particularly their physical appearance. With female musicians, that's made a big thing of, and I think people, certainly with me, have appreciated a bit of mystery.
I think young people are the most creative and the coolest - people that we should be learning from. Even when I'm at a party, I'm analyzing it and thinking about it in the context of how I would write about it. That side of me never switches off.
People respond to something which intrigues them instead of something that gives them all the information - particularly in pop, which is, like, the genre for knowing way too much about everyone and everything.
Everyone’s competing for a love they won't receive.
Don't let some random comment that you wouldn't have even thought about overshadow something important that you were actually trying to say.
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all good things will be added unto you." Follow God and you shall have whatever you desire.
The universe has much bigger plans for you than you ever dreamed of for yourself.
They said you'd really have to be something to be like Babe Ruth. But Babe Ruth was an American player. What we needed was a Puerto Rican player they could say that about, someone to look up to and try to equal.
I have always drawn strength from my late mother's life. When Eunice Johnson set up the first major fashion show for African-American audiences more than 50 years ago, she did so at a time when black Americans, especially black women, were still fighting for a seat at the table - any table.
For some of my young female readers, it will be the first time they will have seen a Punjabi author be successful in the West. Because I'm dealing with topics that aren't always easily discussed, I know they will look up to me, because I would have done the same. So I just want to make sure I do right by them, wherever this takes me.
Seven years ago, in my first semester at college, the professors handed out MacBook Pros. With mine, I filmed a seven-minute tutorial on 'natural makeup' - just me, my laptop, and a cup of coffee. When, a week later, it clocked 40,000 Web views, I knew people were connecting with it, so I kept going. That moment changed my life.
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