I think there are a lot of rules for women. We have a lot of expectations and a lot of rules for women. So we're expected to march in a straight line, and when we don't, all hell breaks loose.
Roxane GayRead
I believe women not just in the United States but throughout the world deserve equality and freedom but know I am in no position to tell women of other cultures what that equality and freedom should look like.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Equality and freedom must respect cultural differences and individual perspectives.
Roxane Gay emphasizes the importance of equality and freedom for women globally, acknowledging that while she advocates for these rights, she recognizes the complexity of different cultural contexts. This perspective encourages respect for diverse views on what equality and freedom should entail for women in various societies, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Themes
EqualityFreedomWomenCultureDiversity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared at a women's rights conference to emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity.
More from Roxane Gay
All quotes →I believe in the freedom of expression, unequivocally - though, as I have written before, I wish more people would understand that freedom of expression is not freedom from consequence.
Roxane GayRead
Public intellectuals are often put in the position of having their words, no matter how off-the-cuff, treated as doctrine.
Roxane GayRead
No one is helped when cultural critics use their voices irresponsibly.
Roxane GayRead
I have never dreamed of being a princess. I have not longed for Prince Charming. I have and do long for something resembling a happily ever after. I am supposed to be above such flights of fantasy, but I am not. I am enamored of fairy tales.
Roxane GayRead
There has been, and there will continue to be, vigorous discussions about race in America. I worry that little will come of these discussions because we aren't addressing what must be done to change the current racial climate.
Roxane GayRead
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In addition to being an economic security issue, the failure to pay women a salary that's equal to men for equal work is also a women's health issue. The fact is that the salary women are paid directly impacts the type of health care services they are able to access for both themselves and their families.
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I think the problem is, exceptional women will always succeed. But there are plenty of less-exceptional men who succeed. Until we get the less-exceptional women succeeding equally, we do not have full equality.
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