Basketball Quote by Barbara Kingsolver
“Height isn't something you can have and just let be, like nice teeth or naturally curly hair. People have this idea you have to put it to use, playing basketball, for example, or observing the weather up there. If you are a girl, they feel a particular need to point your height out to you, as if you might not have noticed.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver, 1998
Height is a physical trait that society often pressures individuals, especially women, to use or showcase, treating it like a skill rather than a natural attribute.
In simple terms: Height is often treated as a talent to be used.
Key Takeaway
Recognize height as a neutral trait, not a performance metric.
Themes
body image
gender expectations
social pressure
Mood
self‑conscious
reflective
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- school interactions
- dating
- workplace comments
- media representation
Key Concepts
identity
self‑acceptance
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emphasizing height affect self‑esteem?
- What ways can we shift focus from physical traits to personal qualities?
A Different Perspective
Societal focus on height can reinforce shallow judgments and anxiety.
![“I failed, I think, seven [or] eight times before I finally got my first [championship]. It was just, you know, just about me growing up. Now that I'm an old, old veteran-age 29-I do things a lot differently. I don't go to the gentlemen's clubs anymore. I had to slow that down.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08f/shaquille-o-neal-659_age_i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-be_2731.jpg)
