There are so many more women and men who deserve opportunities. People of color. Period.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of providing equal opportunities to all individuals, particularly underrepresented groups.
Octavia Spencer's quote highlights the need for inclusivity and equal opportunities for historically marginalized groups, such as women and people of color. It serves as a reminder that many talented individuals have yet to receive the chances they deserve due to systemic inequalities. By advocating for the recognition of these deserving individuals, Spencer calls for a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background.
In practice
During a speech at a diversity conference, you could quote this to emphasize the need for more inclusive hiring practices.
You have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow. And as an actor, you don't become Meryl Streep by doing the same type of comedy. You get there by being challenged. And unfortunately, there's a lack of roles for women of color, so you actually have to be the engineer creating some of those roles.
I don't think there will ever be a time I don't write, and I hope there will never be a time I don't act.
There are so few roles out there. And even if it is a film that could be led by a black actress, how many times is that film going to get funded? Let's just be real. But it's not just black people. It's Asians, it's Hispanic people if you're not Salma Hayek. It's hard. It's hard to get films funded.
I think that young women and little girls need to see that they don't have to be the damsel in distress. They don't have to not show their strength. They don't have to be whatever the stereotype is or the tropes that we go to in our minds.
You just keep moving forward and doing what you do and hope that it resonates with people. And if it doesn't, you just keep moving on until you find a project that does.
I like to read, even though it was really tough, because I could go anywhere in the world in a book, and I could have so many adventures in a book.
The best way to serve the individuals on the team is to see that the whole team wins.
There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it.
There is no contest between the company that buys the grudging compliance of its work force and the company that enjoys the enterprising participation of its employees
I am convinced that there is no smarter, handier, or more adaptable body of troops in the world.
So long as all is ordered for attack, and that alone, leaders will instinctively increase the number of enemies that they may give their followers something to do.
That's all managing is: just coming up with the right questions and getting the right answers.
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