I feel like my career is to speak truth to power, and a lot of times, that sounds like troublemaking. If speaking truth is troublemaking, then yes, I will consider myself a professional at that.
I want people to see my color and my culture written all over me, because I am proud of the skin I'm in. It is an important part of my identity. What I don't want them to do is mistreat me because of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of embracing and being proud of one's cultural identity while rejecting mistreatment based on it.
Luvvie Ajayi's quote speaks to the deep connection between personal identity and cultural heritage. It highlights the pride one can take in their background and appearance, encouraging individuals to express their unique cultures openly. However, it also addresses the painful reality of discrimination and the desire for acceptance without prejudice. The message encourages a celebration of diversity and a call for respect and understanding from others.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be a powerful addition to a speech about cultural awareness at a community event.
More from Luvvie Ajayi
All quotes βBeing able to live without having to be defined by your skin color is the hallmark of privilege.
Through my school years, I learned more about slavery, anti-black racism, and oppression in the U.S., and my blackness could no longer be an afterthought. I started wearing it proudly, and as my consciousness deepened, so did my love for black folks.
You can be tweeting strangers and saying, 'Don't say that,' but are you saying that to your friends? How about your mom? Your boyfriend at the dinner table who says something homophobic? If you're not saying the same things in person that you're saying online, then what are your tweets doing?
When people say things like, 'Oh, I can't find black or brown whatever position it is,' I wanted to be clear that we exist in droves. When I tell people, 'Hey, share your work, share your LinkedIn,' it's with the ultimate goal that somebody on that thread gets hired, or something positive happens.
Being conscious of Global Blackness is knowing that we are not an island of our struggle but a nation of our triumphs. That's blackness to me.
Similar quotes
I must identify myself with Africa. Then I will have an identity.
I'm not British. I'm not American. I'm not French. Whatever thing they practise, that is their business. I am an African. I am Rwandese.
I don't really know what feeling Japanese or Haitian or American is supposed to feel like. I just feel like me.
I don't know what I am if I'm not a woman.
It was very hard for me, for most of my life, to feel American, or call myself American, and that is a very complicated topic that would require a very long conversation.
I'd much rather people knew me as a good tennis player than as an aboriginal who happens to play good tennis. Of course I'm proud of my race, but I don't want to be thinking about it all the time.