Anna Deavere Smith
Anna Deavere Smith
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionActress
Date of Birth18 September 1950
CountryUnited States of America
creative life-is endeavor
Making your life is ultimately an extraordinarily creative endeavor.
race vocabulary people
Many people are afraid to talk about race because it's so emotionally loaded. We don't have the vocabulary to talk about it. Every day, our vocabulary seems more and more inadequate.
school white america
Suddenly in high school, I'm in a predominantly Jewish atmosphere. Jewish people were my gate to white America.
leadership people mouths
People in power have to be careful about what comes out of their mouth. They have to find exactly the right word that can't be attacked.
individuality identity constellations
Identity is an assemblage of constellations.
expression firsts students
I see myself first and foremost as a student of expression.
thinking tunnels
Learning is a tunnel experience that makes us think more broadly.
becoming action bigger
What you are will show, ultimately. Start now, every day, becoming, in your actions, your regular actions, what you would like to become in the bigger scheme of things.
determination silly humility
Confidence is a static state. Determination is active. Determination allows for doubt and for humility - both of which are critical in the world today. There is so much that we don’t know, and so much that we know we don’t know. To be overly confident or without doubt seems silly to me. Determination, on the other hand, is a commitment to win, a commitment to fight the good fight.
thinking ideas people
I think what I am is a "convener"; I like to convene people around ideas.
literature persons
Each person has a literature inside them.
teaching inspiration discipline
You can't teach talent. You can't teach inspiration. You can teach people critical facilities. You can give them techniques. You can teach discipline. And you can teach them about the business.
grateful discipline preparation
Be more than ready. Be present in your discipline. Remember your gift. Be grateful for your gift and treat it like a gift. Cherish it, take care of it, and pass it on.
fantasy
Even jealousy is based on fantasies: a fantasy that someone else has what belongs to you.