Quotes About Identity

My skin is soft and smooth and the color reminds me of rain-drenched earth. But it's as if the darkness of it keeps Ma from noticing my assets: curly hair, a round face that makes babies smile, deep dimples in both cheeks, big eyes that notice details other people miss. I like my face, even if Ma doesn't. I resemble Baba, and he's got presence.

Thanks, Ms. Liberty! Is that a sari you're wearing? I hope not.

pen. Where am I from? Can the answer be stories and words, some of theirs, some of mine?

A muddy river is a muddy river, whether it's in Bengal or in Baton Rouge.

Nothing makes you feel more beautiful than a sari.

My heart is still Bengali. Isn't Didu's?

Accept who you are; and revel in it.

Well, for one thing, the culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. We're teaching the wrong things. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn't work, don't buy it. Create your own. Most people can't do it.

Is that true? Are you really him?" "I am afraid I still hold that distinction." "You are Sherlock Holmes? No, I don't believe it." "That is quite all right. I scarcely believe it myself.

I am afraid I never wore a deerstalker, or smoked the big pipe – mere embellishments by an illustrator, intended to give me distinction, I suppose, and sell magazines. I didn't get much say in the matter.

Is a hippopotamus a hippopotamus, or just a really cool Opotamus?

You have crossed a line, but it does not change who you are. Don't forget that. A man may be dressed up in all manner of fancy titles, but he must not let it change him or else ego, pride and ambition will be his undoing. No matter what grand title is bestowed upon you, to thine own self be true. Do you understand?

Be yourself and I promise people will enjoy it, and if they don't, forget them.

The anonymous black male is usually an ambiguous figure who arouses the utmost caution and is generally considered dangerous until he proves that he is not.

As a child of immigrant parents, as a woman of color in a white society and as a woman in a patriarchal society, what is personal to me IS political.

We need to raise our voices a little more, even as they say to us, 'This is so uncharacteristic of you.' Invisibility is not a natural state for anyone.

I want you to remember when our White House reflected the best of who we are, not the worst of what Europe has become.

If we become one of those societies that attack success, why not come as certain there will be a lot less success? And that's not who we are.

My dad had been born in Mexico and his family had to leave during the Mexican revolution.

It's horrible when people are only interested in buying labels, because it doesn't bring them the happiness they think it will.

Fashion is instant language.

Yorda...that's your name?

I'm a floating TURNIP HEAD

Are women really wonderful things? Maybe they are. Yes, women are wonderful things, but when all is said and done, they aren't really "things