I mean, I think that - as an actress, in particular, I'm basically a fool, and I see the world upside down. Anna Deavere Smith actressbasicallyfool Change image and share on social
What my work is, is my approach to it. It's the practice. And my work is about the effort that I make to get there. And I think if there's anything artistic, it's in that middle space. Anna Deavere Smith approachartisticeffort Change image and share on social
Each person has a literature inside them. Anna Deavere Smith insideliteratureperson Change image and share on social
In my own life I'm frequently in predominantly white atmospheres. Anna Deavere Smith atmospherefrequentlylife Change image and share on social
Well, the terrible thing right now, and I don't know the statistics, but there's a growing concern in some communities about how rapidly people are sent from school to jail, how quickly they're put into the criminal justice system. And of course the rapidly growing number of brown people, both men and women, in prison. And this is terrible. Anna Deavere Smith browncommunityconcern share on social
I feel like my work has been my path to freedom from having grown up in a segregated environment. Anna Deavere Smith environmentfeelfreedom Change image and share on social
I don't talk a lot when I interview. My job is to get out of the way. Anna Deavere Smith interviewjoblot Change image and share on social
I think as a kid I always liked to listen to people. I loved hearing stories. Anna Deavere Smith hearkidlisten Change image and share on social
If I do three interviews in a day, I can be exhausted, because the process of hearing everyone requires that I empty out myself. While I'm listening, my own judgments and prejudices certainly come up. But I know I won't get anything unless I get those things out of the way. Anna Deavere Smith dayemptyexhaust share on social
In my profession, I'm around a lot of people whose bodies are their instruments in one way or another. Anna Deavere Smith bodyinstrumentlot Change image and share on social