Although Quote by August Wilson
“From Borges, those wonderful gaucho stories from which I learned that you can be specific as to a time and place and culture and still have the work resonate with the universal themes of love, honor, duty, betrayal, etc. From Amiri Baraka, I learned that all art is political, although I don't write political plays.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Jitney by August Wilson, 1982
Specific cultural details can convey universal human emotions and values.
In simple terms: Local details reveal universal themes.
Key Takeaway
Use concrete details to reach broader audiences.
Themes
culture
universality
storytelling
identity
values
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- theatre
- writing
- teaching
- public speaking
- cross‑cultural communication
Key Concepts
specificity
universality
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance specificity with accessibility?
- What universal themes does your story explore?
A Different Perspective
May alienate audiences unfamiliar with the culture.
![“I don't know why people always compare me [ with Amiri Baraka] I was never part of the Black Arts Repertory Theater or the Black Arts Movement; people who claim that I was are wrong. I was downtown. I was living in Chelsea when they were operating in Harlem.” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ec/ishmael-reed-7430_art_i-don-t-know-why-people-always-compare-m_1439827.jpg)
![“As for [Amiri] Baraka, he and I have disagreements. I mean, he becomes a demagogue when there's an audience. He's a nice guy in private. I mean I like the guy; he's a terrific writer. I've published two of his books. Baraka is one of these fundamentalists who is prone to idol worship.” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f16/ishmael-reed-7430_audience_as-for-amiri-baraka-he-and-i-have-disagr_1091138.jpg)
![“I was roommates with 2 of the guys who were influential in forming the Black Arts philosophy. I called them "goons," and [Amiri] Baraka took offense at that. But if you read his autobiography, the night we went up there for a fundraiser, he talks about how he wished that some violence would happen…” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bd/ishmael-reed-7430_art_i-was-roommates-with-2-of-the-guys-who-w_2825561.jpg)
