If I were ever to grace the pages of 'Vogue,' I would want my image retouched because the audience is so vast. There is great vulnerability in being exposed to that many judging eyes. I feel no small amount of guilt over this willingness to surrender my ideals. Roxane Gay amountaudienceexpose share on social
Feminism is just an idea. It's a philosophy. It's about the equality of women in all realms. It's not about man-hating. It's not about being humorless. We have to let go of these misconceptions that have plagued feminism for 40, 50 years. Roxane Gay equalityfeminismhate share on social
We all have our vanities. The retouching magazines like 'Vogue' do is the professional version of the retouching we do when we, for example, apply Instagram filters to the pictures we take and share on our social networks. Roxane Gay applyfilterinstagram share on social
Beyonce is not above critique. As a feminist herself, I hope Beyonce would welcome it. Roxane Gay beyoncecritiquefeminist Change image and share on social
I cut an imposing figure. I am large, and I'm tall, and I have tattoos. I am actually really quiet and shy, but maybe people see me, and they don't want to step out of line, or equate disagreement with stepping out of line with a writer they like. Roxane Gay cutdisagreementequate share on social
I live in Indiana and teach at Purdue University, a wonderful school with some of the brightest students I have ever had the privilege of working with. My colleagues are powerful and intelligent and kind. The cost of living is low, the prairie is wide, and on clear nights, I can see all the stars in the sky above. Roxane Gay brightclearcolleague share on social
I don't want the whole of my writing or my intellectual energy given over to race because I have diverse interests. Roxane Gay diverseenergyintellectual Change image and share on social
I believe in the freedom of expression, unequivocally - though, as I have written before, I wish more people would understand that freedom of expression is not freedom from consequence. Roxane Gay consequenceexpressionfreedom Change image and share on social
That's what is always fascinating about racism - how it is allowed, if not encouraged, to flourish freely in public spaces, the way racism and bigotry are so often unquestioned. Roxane Gay allowbigotryencourage Change image and share on social
I think the world is ambivalent about feminism. So I can't blame college students. I think they're reflecting the greater culture's attitude toward feminism. So what I can do is, in ways that are appropriate, advocate for feminism and help the students learn what feminism is about. Roxane Gay advocateambivalentattitude share on social