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I have a job I'm pretty good at. I am in charge of things. I am on committees. People respect me and take my counsel. I want to be strong and professional, but I resent how hard I have to work to be taken seriously, to receive a fraction of the consideration I might otherwise receive.
Roxane Gay
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the challenges of being respected and taken seriously in a professional setting despite hard work.

Roxane Gay's quote expresses the frustration of a professional who feels that, despite their competence and respect earned in their field, they still face undue challenges in being taken seriously. It highlights the struggle for acknowledgment and fairness in the workplace, pointing to the resilience required to navigate these dynamics while seeking recognition for their skills and contributions.

Themes

RespectWorkProfessionalismChallengeRecognition

In practice

Example use cases

During a meeting discussing gender equality, this quote can help illustrate challenges faced in professional environments.

More from Roxane Gay

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 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.
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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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