The breakdown of the black community, in order to maintain slavery, began with the breakdown of the black family. Men and women were not legally allowed to get married because you couldn't have that kind of love. It might get in the way of the economics of slavery. Your children could be taken from you and literally sold down the river.
I'm not interested in living in a world where my race is not a part of who I am. I am interested in living in a world where our races, no matter what they are, don't define our trajectory in life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote speaks to the importance of race as an identity while advocating for a world where race does not determine one's opportunities or future.
Kerry Washington emphasizes the duality of racial identity, expressing pride in her heritage while yearning for a society that transcends racial boundaries. She envisions a future where individuals are not limited or defined by their race, but instead have the freedom to shape their own paths, regardless of their backgrounds. This sentiment calls for a deeper understanding and acceptance of diversity while promoting equality and inclusion.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a diversity and inclusion workshop to emphasize the importance of seeing beyond racial identities.
More from Kerry Washington
All quotes →I don't want to not be African. The goal is to live in a world where my race doesn't limit my access, where I can see myself represented in the highest level of society without any limitation.
There are a lot of forms of exercise where you have to leave yourself out of the room while you force yourself to do this thing. With Pilates, I get to bring my true self. I cry, I laugh. I get to go, 'Where is my body today? What do I need today? How can I take care of myself and push myself past my comfort zone?'
I think as a whole America is dealing with the issue of homophobia. We got to be really honest about whether we believe in civil rights for all people or not. As Black people we need to remember the moment that we say it's okay to disenfranchise one segment of society, we're opening the door to move backward on ourselves.
Look, I get it. Whether it's school, work, family, we've all got a lot on our minds. People say to me, "I'm just too busy to think about politics." But here's the thing: You may not be thinking about politics, but politics is thinking about you.
You and you alone are the only person that can live the life that writes the story that you were meant to tell. And the world needs your story because the world needs your voice.
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Sing the songs of joy to the Lord, serve the Name of the Lord, and become the servant of His servants.
Live your life without hurting anybody. Harmlessness is a most powerful form of Yoga and it will take you speedily to your goal. This is what I call nisarga yoga, the Natural yoga. It is the art of living in peace and harmony, in friendliness and love. The fruit of it is happiness, uncaused and endless.
Those who speak much are blamed, those who speak little are blamed. In this world there are none who are not blamed. Try not to blame.
The World War I, I'm a child of World War I. And I really know about the children of war. Because both my parents were both badly damaged by the war. My father, physically, and both mentally and emotionally. So, I know exactly what it's like to be brought up in an atmosphere of a continual harping on the war.
What reason have atheists for saying that we cannot rise again? That what has never been, should be, or that what has been, should be again? Is it more difficult to come into being than to return to it.
Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise.