I feel like, in a lot of ways, 'Hidden Figures' is the book that I wrote and have been waiting to read since I learned to read.
Margot Lee ShetterlyRead
A lot of times, we talk about black people as if being black is all they are. They get up, go to work... and are as complex and interesting and variable as any other group of people. We don't often capture that or write about it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the complexity of individual identities within the Black community, challenging stereotypes.
Margot Lee Shetterly's quote highlights the importance of recognizing the multifaceted nature of Black individuals beyond racial identity. It points out that discussions about Black people often reduce them to a single characteristic, ignoring their diverse experiences, interests, and contributions to society. Shetterly argues for a broader representation that captures the rich complexities of Black lives, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of their humanity.
Themes
IdentityDiversityComplexityRepresentationHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about cultural representation, one might say, 'As Margot Lee Shetterly pointed out, we need to recognize the complexity of Black identities, not just their race.'
More from Margot Lee Shetterly
All quotes →Growing up in Hampton, the face of science was brown like mine.
Margot Lee ShetterlyRead
For too long, history has imposed a binary condition on its black citizens: either nameless or renowned, menial or exceptional, passive recipients of the forces of history or superheroes who acquire mythic status not just because of their deeds but because of their scarcity.
Margot Lee ShetterlyRead
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