My immediate family was always very supportive. It was my own fear of the rest of the world not accepting me, the rest of our society not accepting my wish to be an actor.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
I thought I was going to school to be other people, but really, what I learned was to be myself - accepting myself, my strengths and weaknesses.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance over conforming to others' expectations.
Lupita Nyong'o reflects on her educational journey, revealing that while she initially believed she was learning to emulate others, the true lesson was in embracing her own identity, including both her strengths and vulnerabilities. This realization denotes a significant shift from seeking approval to valuing self-acceptance, highlighting the transformative power of education in fostering personal growth and authenticity.
Themes
Self-AcceptanceEducationIdentityPersonal GrowthAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech, a speaker might use this quote to inspire students to embrace their true selves as they step into the world.
More from Lupita Nyong'O
All quotes β[My mother] always said I was beautiful and I finally believed her at some point.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion: for yourself and for those around you.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
That you will feel the validation of your external beauty but also get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside. There is no shade in that beauty.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
As human beings, we aren't as individual as we'd like to believe we are. And I think that's what makes acting possible. Despite the fact that I have not experienced something, I have it in my human capacity to imagine it and to put myself in someone else's shoes, and to take someone else's circumstances personally.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
I've loved the opportunity to learn about the fashion world and appreciate it as an art form, and I look forward to my continued education, but I never want it to take over my acting.
Lupita Nyong'ORead
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