QuoteProject
At the start of my career - not just Me Too, which is not the totality of my career - I wish I would have known that you don't have to sacrifice everything for a cause. And that self-care and self-preservation is also a tool that is necessary to do the work.
Tarana Burke
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

One should prioritize self-care while pursuing a cause, as it is essential for sustained effort.

Tarana Burke's quote emphasizes the importance of balancing personal well-being with the dedication to a cause. She reflects on her early career and expresses the realization that sacrificing everything for activism is not only unnecessary but can also hinder one's ability to make a meaningful impact. Self-care and self-preservation are portrayed as vital tools that empower individuals to continue their work effectively.

Themes

Self-CareActivismCauseBalanceWell-Being

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used during a workshop on self-care strategies for activists.

More from Tarana Burke

I think it is selfish for me to try to frame Me Too as something that I own. It is bigger than me and bigger than Alyssa Milano. Neither one of us should be centered in this work. This is about survivors.
Tarana BurkeRead
Get up. Stand up. Speak up. Do something.
Tarana BurkeRead
'Me Too' became the way to succinctly and powerfully connect with other people and give people permission to start their journey to heal.
Tarana BurkeRead
We want to turn victims into survivors - and survivors into thrivers.
Tarana BurkeRead
I think that women of color use social media to make our voices heard with or without the amplification of white women. I also think that, many times, when white women want our support, they use an umbrella of 'women supporting women' and forget that they didn't lend the same kind of support.
Tarana BurkeRead
Men need to help reshape the conversation around consent.
Tarana BurkeRead

Similar quotes

The fight for justice against corruption is never easy. It never has been and never will be. It exacts a toll on our self, our families, our friends, and especially our children. In the end, I believe, as in my case, the price we pay is well worth holding on to our dignity.
Frank SerpicoRead
There's a storm inside of us. I've heard many team guys speak of this. A burning. A river. A drive.
Marcus LuttrellRead
what you hear in my voice is fury, not suffering. Anger, not moral authority
Audre LordeRead
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
John AdamsRead
It hurts my head, but it's fine because it's something I do every day. You can't avoid the gymnastics questions.
Simone BilesRead
The brave man, inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.
Andrew JacksonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.