You can't control the fact that you are born a white man or born into wealth. When people say, 'Check your privilege,' they're saying, 'Acknowledge how these factors helped you move through life.' They're not saying apologize for it. Roxane Gay acknowledgeapologizebear share on social
Day after day with them, I see more and more of my parents in me. I see where all my quirks come from. I see my future. Roxane Gay dayfutureparent Change image and share on social
I think there are a lot of rules for women. We have a lot of expectations and a lot of rules for women. So we're expected to march in a straight line, and when we don't, all hell breaks loose. Roxane Gay breakexpectexpectation Change image and share on social
I can consider not only great art, but the context in which that art has been created. I can consider the people who paid a price for that art to be created and whether or not I want to appreciate that art on their backs. Roxane Gay artbackcontext share on social
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
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
There are all kinds of people who continue to be largely ignored by advertisers, whose lives largely go unseen. They deserve their moment. Roxane Gay advertisercontinuedeserve Change image and share on social
Throughout any given season of 'The Bachelor,' the women exclaim that the experience is like a fairy tale. They suffer the machinations of reality television, pursuing - along with several other women, often inebriated - the promise of happily ever after. Roxane Gay bachelorexclaimexperience share on social
It's disheartening that people think that Donald Sterling is the outlier and that he's the exception and not the rule. Roxane Gay disheartendonaldexception Change image and share on social
