There cannot be perfect civilization until Man realizes that the rights of every living creature are as sacred as his own.
David Starr JordanRead
At some point along the way, I stopped being a writer, and I became a black writer. I never used to be a black writer. I used to write 'Spider-Man,' 'Green Lantern,' whatever was lying around. 'Thor,' 'Hulk,' whatever. Now, if the phone rings or when the phone rings, it's almost exclusively some project that has something to do with my ethnicity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the transformation of identity and how societal labels can influence artistic expression.
Christopher Priest discusses the shift in his identity from simply being a writer to being categorized as a 'black writer', highlighting how societal expectations and racial identity can shape creative opportunities. This transformation illustrates the complexities of race in the artistic world, where minority voices can often be pigeonholed into specific genres or themes that may not encompass the full range of their talents and experiences.
Themes
IdentityWritingRaceCreativityEthnicity
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about diversity in literature, one could quote this to highlight the importance of representation.
Similar quotes
If it is surely the means to the highest end we know, can any work be humble or disgusting? Will it not rather be elevating as a ladder, the means by which we are translated?
Henry David ThoreauRead
The only way to reconcile science and religion is to set up something which is not science and something that is not religion.
H. L. MenckenRead
The only place where poverty should be is in museums.
Muhammad YunusRead
Celebration of Independence Day with great pomp and show was quite appropriate when we were fighting for independence which we had neither seen nor handled. Now we have handled it and we seem to be disillusioned. At least - I am, even if you are not. What are we celebrating today? Surely, not our disillusionment.
Mahatma GandhiRead
The pull, the attraction of history, is in our human nature. What makes us tick? Why do we do what we do? How much is luck the deciding factor?
David McculloughRead