--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're boxed in and labeled before we're…" description: "\"We're boxed in and labeled before we're ever able to speak who we believe we are or who we dream we'll become.\" — Andrea Gibson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png" --- # We're boxed in and labeled before we're ever able to speak… ![“We're boxed in and labeled before we're ever able to speak who we believe we are or who we dream we'll become.” quote by Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png) > “We're boxed in and labeled before we're ever able to speak who we believe we are or who we dream we'll become.” [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Society imposes labels before individuals can express their true selves or aspirations. **In simple terms:** Labels restrict self‑expression and future dreams. Key Takeaway Resist premature labeling; claim your narrative. Themes identity labels self‑expression freedom creativity Mood defiant empowering reflective Type poetic inspirational When to use this quote - personal storytelling - activism - education - media representation - mental health counseling Key Concepts social constructs personal authenticity psychological impact Questions to Reflect On - What labels have you shed? - How can you support others in defining themselves? A Different Perspective Overcoming internalized labels can be a long, painful process. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) ## Related quotes > [To some extent, we are all labeled by what we're able to achieve. But more importantly, we are defined by what we attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-tinley/to-some-extent-we-are-all-labeled-by-what-we-re-able-to-achieve-but/) Scott Tinley > [You can be yourself, you can speak up for what you believe in, and if some people don't like it, it is what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobias-harris/you-can-be-yourself-you-can-speak-up-for-what-you-believe-in-and-if/) [Tobias Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobias-harris/) > [We need to be willing to stand up and speak up for what we believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/we-need-to-be-willing-to-stand-up-and-speak-up-for-what-we-believe/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [You don't want your credibility banana to turn brown, but you do want to speak out about what you believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-whitford/you-don-t-want-your-credibility-banana-to-turn-brown-but-you-do-want/) [Bradley Whitford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-whitford/) > [You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/you-cannot-be-afraid-to-speak-up-and-speak-out-for-what-you-believe/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Speak up. Believe in yourself. Take risks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/speak-up-believe-in-yourself-take-risks/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [You speak what you believe, and you believe you’re doomed. If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout the years, it’s that what you believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/you-speak-what-you-believe-and-you-believe-you-re-doomed-if-there-s/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [I think we just have to remember who the heck we are and speak to who we are and what we believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/i-think-we-just-have-to-remember-who-the-heck-we-are-and-speak-to-who/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [I'm not scared to speak about what I believe in, especially when it comes to human lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-consani/i-m-not-scared-to-speak-about-what-i-believe-in-especially-when-it/) [Alex Consani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-consani/) > [Muslim women must stand up and speak out about who we are, what we believe and where we are going. I think we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/queen-rania-of-jordan/muslim-women-must-stand-up-and-speak-out-about-who-we-are-what-we/) [Queen Rania of Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/queen-rania-of-jordan/) > [When you believe in your dream and your vision, then it begins to attract its own resources. No one was born to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/when-you-believe-in-your-dream-and-your-vision-then-it-begins-to/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [If you believe in a dream and have the courage to try, anything is possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-hansen/if-you-believe-in-a-dream-and-have-the-courage-to-try-anything-is/) [Rick Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-hansen/) > [But remember this: in the final analysis, you can believe in your dream, you can be taught, supported, motivated, and loved by others, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-schmidt/but-remember-this-in-the-final-analysis-you-can-believe-in-your-dream/) [Mike Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-schmidt/) > [“Do you still believe that I am only a dream?"-Alastor”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-michelle-burnett/do-you-still-believe-that-i-am-only-a-dream-alastor/) [Dana Michelle Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-michelle-burnett/) > [“Ah, but dreams cannot be captured with promises," he said. "Like water, they elude our grasp. But water is the staff of life. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/ah-but-dreams-cannot-be-captured-with-promises-he-said-like-water/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) ## More by Andrea Gibson > [What Gods do you believe in? I'll build you a temple of mirrors so you can see them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/what-gods-do-you-believe-in-i-ll-build-you-a-temple-of-mirrors-so-you/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Your ignorance keeps dismembering every piece of patience I have left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/your-ignorance-keeps-dismembering-every-piece-of-patience-i-have-left/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [If you were to press your heart close up against somebody else’s heart eventually your hearts will start beating at the same time. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/if-you-were-to-press-your-heart-close-up-against-somebody-else-s/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [You can have a cold war with yourself, even in the summertime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/you-can-have-a-cold-war-with-yourself-even-in-the-summertime/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Yesterday i carved your name into the surface of an ice cube then held it against my chest til it melted into my aching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/yesterday-i-carved-your-name-into-the-surface-of-an-ice-cube-then/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Forests may be gorgeous but there is nothing more alive than a tree that learns how to grow in a cemetery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/forests-may-be-gorgeous-but-there-is-nothing-more-alive-than-a-tree/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [“Our hearts beat so loud the neighbours think we’re fucking when I’m just trying to find the nerve to touch your face.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/our-hearts-beat-so-loud-the-neighbours-think-we-re-fucking-when-i-m/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Hey, are you a boy or a — never mind, can I have a push on the swing?” And some day, y’all, when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/hey-are-you-a-boy-or-a-never-mind-can-i-have-a-push-on-the-swing-and/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Last night I saw your ghost pedalling a bicycle with a basket towards a moon as full as my heavy head and I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/last-night-i-saw-your-ghost-pedalling-a-bicycle-with-a-basket-towards/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [“I am living today as someone I had not yet become yesterday And tonight I'll only borrow pieces of who I am today To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/i-am-living-today-as-someone-i-had-not-yet-become-yesterday-and/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [If you’re handing out flashlights in the dark, start handing out stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/if-you-re-handing-out-flashlights-in-the-dark-start-handing-out-stars/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [“And if there’s one thing in this world I’ve ever known for sure, it’s that this girl is gonna crush me like a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/and-if-there-s-one-thing-in-this-world-i-ve-ever-known-for-sure-it-s/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Sometimes the most healing thing to do is remind ourselves over and over and over, other people feel this too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/sometimes-the-most-healing-thing-to-do-is-remind-ourselves-over-and/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [“I wrote too many poems in a language I did not yet know how to speak But I know now it doesn't matter how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/i-wrote-too-many-poems-in-a-language-i-did-not-yet-know-how-to-speak/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) > [Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they're falling like they're falling in love with the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/autumn-is-the-hardest-season-the-leaves-are-all-falling-and-they-re/) [Andrea Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) [Explore all 140 Andrea Gibson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/) ## More Able quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) Greg Perry > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. And if you grow up in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-browning/what-we-re-supposed-to-do-as-actors-is-be-able-to-portray-real-human/) [Emily Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-browning/) > [The reason that Apple is able to create products like iPad is because we always try to be at the intersection of technology and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/the-reason-that-apple-is-able-to-create-products-like-ipad-is-because/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [It was an important period for us, because even though we weren't a "punk band", and what became a model for a punk band,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-mallinder/it-was-an-important-period-for-us-because-even-though-we-weren-t-a/) [Stephen Mallinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-mallinder/) > [- You look fine. - Right. I look fine. Except I don't, said Zora, tugging sadly at her man's nightshirt. This was why Kiki…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zadie-smith/you-look-fine-right-i-look-fine-except-i-don-t-said-zora-tugging/) [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) Browse all 17,257 Able quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We're boxed in and labeled before we're ever able to speak who we believe we are or who we dream we'll become.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrea Gibson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re-ever-able-to-speak-who-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Able" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re-ever-able-to-speak-who-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ad/andrea-gibson-3085_able_we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re_2080737.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We're boxed in and labeled before we're ever able to speak who we believe we are or who we dream we'll become.” — Andrea Gibson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Andrea Gibson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-gibson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We're boxed in and labeled before...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re-ever-able-to-speak-who-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-gibson/we-re-boxed-in-and-labeled-before-we-re-ever-able-to-speak-who-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```