If you send up a weather vane or put your thumb up in the air every time you want to do something different, to find out what people are going to think about it, you're going to limit yourself. That's a very strange way to live.
Jessye NormanRead
It is still more likely that a woman's power would be seen as aggression, and a man's power would be seen as assertion.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the gender biases in perceptions of power, where women's power is often viewed negatively compared to men's.
In this quote, Jessye Norman addresses the societal tendency to interpret a woman's display of power as aggressive, while a man's similar display is seen as assertive. This reflects deep-rooted gender stereotypes that influence how actions are perceived based on the individual's gender, ultimately leading to unfair judgments and limitations on women's empowerment.
Themes
GenderPowerBiasPerceptionAssertionAggression
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about workplace dynamics, this quote can illustrate how female leaders are often judged differently.
More from Jessye Norman
All quotes βMy parents said to us, practically on a daily basis, that we were as good as anyone else on this earth, and that we would simply have to work harder in order to show that.
Jessye NormanRead
Problems arise in that one has to find a balance between what people need from you and what you need for yourself.
Jessye NormanRead
I am grateful that my horizons were not narrowed at the outset.
Jessye NormanRead
As for my voice, it cannot be categorised - and I like it that way, because I sing things that would be considered in the dramatic, mezzo or spinto range.
Jessye NormanRead
I love singing jazz. I don't like the idea that classical music should be over here and jazz should be someplace else. It's all wonderful, and we should be open to enjoying it all.
Jessye NormanRead
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