I don't want to be white. I don't want to be straight. I don't want to blend in.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a desire for individuality and authenticity, rejecting societal norms related to race and sexuality.
Lena Waithe's quote reflects a powerful assertion of identity and the importance of embracing one's true self. By explicitly rejecting the desire to conform to traditional categories of race and sexuality, the speaker champions the idea of standing out and being true to one's unique identity, advocating for acceptance of diversity and nonconformity in society.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about embracing diversity in the workplace.
As a black woman in the industry, you really do have to hold your head higher, stick your chest out, be kind and polite and generous even when you don't want to be sometimes. I learned that and, also, just to never take no for an answer.
Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there for decoration. You can just hear it in the writers room... 'What if we make her a lesbian?'
It's weird because I see black gay characters on television all the time, but do I relate to them? Not always, because they're set pieces.
The cool thing about dope black style becoming in style is that the industry has no choice but to try and reduplicate that.
For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think, 'I wonder what the industry is gonna think about 'Purple Rain.'' It's just, is this honest? Is this real? Does this move me? The rest is icing.
Being born gay, black, and female is not a revolutionary act. Being proud to be a gay black female is.
You can walk away and say "We don't need this." but something in your eyes says "We can beat this.
Bullies will attack your confidence, but you cannot let them kill your ambition.
I'm told I'm a statistic. I'm told that my young black sisters are disease-ridden... but we are greater than what society tells us we are.
When I think about my Glamazon, would that character get down if someone said her thighs were heavy? No, she knows what other people think is none of her damn business.
Every year, an average of 9,200 Americans are murdered by handguns, according to Department of Justice statistics. This does not include suicides or the tens of thousands of robberies, rapes and assaults committed with handguns. This level of violence must be stopped.
Except a person be part coward, it is not a compliment to say he is brave.
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