Can you be happy with the movies, and the ads, and the clothes in the stores, and the doctors, and the eyes as you walk down the street all telling you there is something wrong with you? No. You cannot be happy. Because, you poor darling baby, you believe them.
Women are real. Our reality covers the whole human megillah, from feeble to fierce, from bad to good, from endangered to dangerous. We don't just deserve power, we have it. And power in this and every other society is not just the capacity to benefit those around us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the complexity and strength of women's realities and their inherent power in society.
Katherine Dunn's quote highlights the multifaceted nature of women's lives, showcasing their diverse experiences ranging from vulnerability to strength. It asserts that women possess power not only as a right but as an intrinsic part of their existence, suggesting that true power is not merely about benefiting oneself or others but embodies a broader, more profound influence in society. The quote calls attention to the need to recognize and celebrate women's realities as rich and varied, contributing to the ongoing discourse on gender equality and empowerment.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on gender rights, this quote can be used to invoke the strength and diversity of women's experiences.
More from Katherine Dunn
All quotes →We live with a distinct double standard about male and female aggression. Women's aggression isn't considered real. It isn't dangerous; it's only cute. Or it's always self-defense or otherwise inspired by a man. In the rare case where a woman is seen as genuinely responsible, she is branded a monster - an 'unnatural' woman.
Boxing gyms are more than training facilities. They are sanctuaries in bad neighborhoods for troubled kids and shrines to the traditions of the sport. The gym is home. For many, it's the safest place they know.
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