Artists are not cheerleaders, and we're not the heads of tourism boards. We expose and discuss what is problematic, what is contradictory, what is hurtful and what is silenced in the culture we're in.
Junot DiazRead
Books don't live and die by awards. You don't listen to an Hector Lavoe album because it won some awards.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The value of books and music lies in their content, not their accolades.
Junot Diaz emphasizes that the true worth of artistic works, such as books and music, should be judged by their intrinsic qualities and the emotional or intellectual experiences they provide, rather than by the awards they have received. This reflects a broader understanding of art as an expression of creativity and connection, rather than a competition for recognition.
Themes
BooksAwardsMusicValueArt
In practice
Example use cases
During a book club discussion, you might use this quote to spark a conversation about the importance of storytelling over accolades.
More from Junot Diaz
All quotes βRun a hand through your hair, like the white boys do, even though the only thing that runs easily through your hair is Africa.
Junot DiazRead
I can see myself watching him shave every morning. And at other time I see us in that house and see how one bright day (or a day like this, so cold your mind shifts every time the wind does) he will wake up and decide it's all wrong. I'm sorry, he'll say. I have to leave now.
Junot DiazRead
Migration gives a blank cheque to put anything you don't feel like addressing in the memory hold. No neighbours can go against the monster narrative of your family.
Junot DiazRead
We all dream dreams of unity, of purity; we all dream that there's an authoritative voice out there that will explain things, including ourselves.
Junot DiazRead
I think 90% of my ideas evaporate because I have a terrible memory and because I seem to be committed to not scribble anything down. As soon as I write it down, my mind rejects it.
Junot DiazRead
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The naming of cats is a difficult matter. It isn't just one of your holiday games. You may think at first I'm mad as a hatter. When I tell you a cat must have three different names.
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