Quotes About Inclusion

I knew a lot of black scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, and female mathematicians and engineers, women of all backgrounds. So this idea that anyone could be an engineer, a mathematician, or whatever, was something that I had grown up with and thought was really normal.

For some people of color, for some people with conservative or religious backgrounds, you know, we're constantly sort of looking over our shoulder.

I did not want people to know that I was a Muslim; I did not want people to know my name or that I did not have an American name. I did not want that. Because I knew if they knew that, they would cast me as the bad guy.

I would love to be an example to young LGBTQ kids everywhere. I remember growing up and feeling like nobody in the media accurately represented me, and when they did, it was always made to seem like a bad thing.

Give more acting roles to 48-year-old half-Lithuanians who just don't want to be pigeon-holed as bakery presenters.

The force for change I represent is of course from being a mixed-race ballerina.

I remember that my mother used to take me to see ballets, especially if there were black people in them.

The only family I knew was the Royal Ballet and I didn't feel I was part of it in a way. I moved up quite quickly so I didn't make many friends. You are on your own in that sort of place.

The question is always whether all of Baltimore will rise together or whether we will leave some behind.

I do not think a Muslim ban is in our country's interest.

It's important to be seen in different films and banners.

They probably do have an Asian Barbie.

In my barn, everyone gets a fair and equal shot.

America is a place where the freedom to be who you are shouldn't be a barrier to your ability to get a job and provide for your family.

Maybe you are homophobic a little bit, but then you see me, and you've always loved me, and you love the way I play, and your kids love me. And then you're like, 'Oh, that's OK. It's fine.' Once it gets a little bit more personal, it helps break down those barriers.

There's so many, 'no, black people aren't like that' barriers in mainstream media.

There is no scriptural basis for segregation.

I want people to say that an African basketball player is the best player in the whole world.

I would like to see more films being made with people of color behind the camera and in front of the camera, because the more times at bat we have, the better we get.

I used to work at Bloomingdale's when I was transitioning, and they didn't want me using the same bathroom as the female employees or what have you, so it was a struggle.

The kids say, 'Oh are we weird somehow?' and I say, 'It's OK to be different.'

Everybody has an equal right to be on this earth and to be happy on this earth and to achieve on this earth. That's kind of the way that I would like to try and go about living.

Be yourself. And if you're not accepted by your family, there will be people who will accept you.

I hope that any gay kids see me as beacon of light, not just in sport but in general.