--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Turning back to embrace the past has been…" description: "\"“Turning back to embrace the past has been a long, slow lesson not only in self-esteem, but in patriotism—pride in homeland, heritage. It has taken a d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/janisse-ray-39351_bad-blood_turning-back-to-embrace-the-past-has-bee_3099993.jpg" --- # Turning back to embrace the past has been a long, slow… ![“Turning back to embrace the past has been a long, slow lesson not only in self-esteem, but in patriotism—pride in homeland, heritage. It has taken a decade to whip the shame, to mispronounce words and shun grammar when mispronunciation and misspeaking are part of my dialect, to own the bad blood…” quote by Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/janisse-ray-39351_bad-blood_turning-back-to-embrace-the-past-has-bee_3099993.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/janisse-ray-39351_bad-blood_turning-back-to-embrace-the-past-has-bee_3099993.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/janisse-ray-39351_bad-blood_turning-back-to-embrace-the-past-has-bee_3099993.jpg) > ““Turning back to embrace the past has been a long, slow lesson not only in self-esteem, but in patriotism—pride in homeland, heritage. It has taken a decade to whip the shame, to mispronounce words and shun grammar when mispronunciation and misspeaking are part of my dialect, to own the bad blood. What I come from has made me who I am.”” [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflects on reclaiming cultural identity and pride after years of shame and linguistic insecurity. **In simple terms:** Reclaiming heritage restores self‑esteem and patriotism. Key Takeaway Embrace and celebrate your roots. Themes identity heritage self‑esteem patriotism Mood reflective hopeful Type personal cultural When to use this quote - family gatherings - language learning - community events - public speaking Key Concepts cultural reclamation language politics personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How does language shape your sense of belonging? - What steps can you take to honor your heritage? A Different Perspective Overcoming internalized shame can be a lifelong struggle. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad blood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-blood/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“We must embrace our past, no matter how bitter and dark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/we-must-embrace-our-past-no-matter-how-bitter-and-dark/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“I came to accept and embrace my past—both the good things and the bad. I wouldn’t be who I am, or where I am,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-thomason/i-came-to-accept-and-embrace-my-past-both-the-good-things-and-the-bad/) [Megan Thomason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-thomason/) > [Not to sound too Dr. Phil all of a sudden, but I think the key to survival is to embrace one's past and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-cooper/not-to-sound-too-dr-phil-all-of-a-sudden-but-i-think-the-key-to/) [Anderson Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-cooper/) > [In designing Supergirl, I wanted to embrace the past but more importantly, thrust her into the street-style action hero of today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-atwood/in-designing-supergirl-i-wanted-to-embrace-the-past-but-more/) [Colleen Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-atwood/) > [And let to-day embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-let-to-day-embrace-the-past-with-remembrance-and-the-future-with/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't grow up too fast, And don't embrace the past. This life's too good to last and I'm too young to care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-grow-up-too-fast-and-don-t-embrace-the-past-this-life-s-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I left prison, I had to figure out how to embrace my past,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-flores/when-i-left-prison-i-had-to-figure-out-how-to-embrace-my-past/) [Fernando Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-flores/) > [And is not time even as love is, undivided and paceless? But if in you thought you must measure time into seasons, let each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/and-is-not-time-even-as-love-is-undivided-and-paceless-but-if-in-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [You can run from the disappointment through trying to forget, but it's only when you embrace your past that you truly move forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/you-can-run-from-the-disappointment-through-trying-to-forget-but-it-s/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“Embrace your past, but live for the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/singer/embrace-your-past-but-live-for-the-future/) [Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/singer/) > [Its only when you embrace your past that you truly move forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-only-when-you-embrace-your-past-that-you-truly-move-forward/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Embrace your past, but live for now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/embrace-your-past-but-live-for-now/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [Don't make music to make money, because that's not why you should be doing it. Have fun, be creative, and embrace the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-trujillo/don-t-make-music-to-make-money-because-that-s-not-why-you-should-be/) [Robert Trujillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-trujillo/) > [“…for it is only when we embrace our past, can we find true fulfillment in our future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-ann-kirby/for-it-is-only-when-we-embrace-our-past-can-we-find-true-fulfillment/) Mary -ann Kirby > [The bad blood between me and Tim Sylvia, it's over, and that's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-arlovski/the-bad-blood-between-me-and-tim-sylvia-it-s-over-and-that-s-it/) [Andrei Arlovski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-arlovski/) ## More by Janisse Ray > [All I can say about Juliette of the Herbs is that it has made me look at how my life is now, still close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/all-i-can-say-about-juliette-of-the-herbs-is-that-it-has-made-me-look/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [The landscape of my childhood was one of fierce occupation by trees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/the-landscape-of-my-childhood-was-one-of-fierce-occupation-by-trees/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“Most of us, most of our lives, are asked to live small. Most of us quit trying very young to live the bigness we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/most-of-us-most-of-our-lives-are-asked-to-live-small-most-of-us-quit/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“Rural places have hemorrhaged their best and brightest children, their intellectuals, thinkers, organizers, leaders, and artists-those who would create change and who would parent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/rural-places-have-hemorrhaged-their-best-and-brightest-children-their/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“The assumption is that hope is a prerequisite for action. Without hope one becomes depressed and then unable to act. I want to stress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/the-assumption-is-that-hope-is-a-prerequisite-for-action-without-hope/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“Perhaps no word exists in our terribly inadequate English language to name this abstract, emotional thing that is not forgiveness, is not forgetting, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/perhaps-no-word-exists-in-our-terribly-inadequate-english-language-to/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“Sometimes all we have is a little light that we can shine outward into a big darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/sometimes-all-we-have-is-a-little-light-that-we-can-shine-outward/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“I think of my own life, how it embraces a great quest to know every cog of nature--the names of oaks and ferns, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/i-think-of-my-own-life-how-it-embraces-a-great-quest-to-know-every/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [I carry the landscape inside me like an ache. The story of who I am cannot be severed from the story of the flatwoods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/i-carry-the-landscape-inside-me-like-an-ache-the-story-of-who-i-am/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) > [“Of what use to humanity, I ask myself, is a man who cannot see beyond his own hurt?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janisse-ray/of-what-use-to-humanity-i-ask-myself-is-a-man-who-cannot-see-beyond/) [Janisse Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) [Explore all 11 Janisse Ray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janisse-ray/) ## More Bad blood quotes > [The bad blood between me and Tim Sylvia, it's over, and that's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-arlovski/the-bad-blood-between-me-and-tim-sylvia-it-s-over-and-that-s-it/) [Andrei Arlovski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-arlovski/) > [“If Mr. Castillo had been in charge of building the Ark, Noah would have wound up with a boat the size of the New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-doyle-james-d-macdonald/if-mr-castillo-had-been-in-charge-of-building-the-ark-noah-would-have/) Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald > [“Bad bloods aren't born evil or dangerous. We are taught to be, but only because we have to if we want to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-a-thompson/bad-bloods-aren-t-born-evil-or-dangerous-we-are-taught-to-be-but-only/) [Shannon A. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-a-thompson/) > [I think all the bad blood started when Geffen released a greatest hits package of my solo stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-hagar/i-think-all-the-bad-blood-started-when-geffen-released-a-greatest/) [Sammy Hagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-hagar/) > [They are always telling us that Carolina Blue is not a color, that it is really Columbia blue or sky blue. But there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-fair/they-are-always-telling-us-that-carolina-blue-is-not-a-color-that-it/) [Lorrie Fair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-fair/) > [“No more junk talk, no more lies. No more mornings in the hospital getting bad blood drained out of me. No more doctors trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-o-neill/no-more-junk-talk-no-more-lies-no-more-mornings-in-the-hospital/) [Tony O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-o-neill/) > [I never sensed really bad blood between Microsoft and Apple. A lot of Macintosh users feel badly about PCs and do have some bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-wozniak/i-never-sensed-really-bad-blood-between-microsoft-and-apple-a-lot-of/) [Steve Wozniak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-wozniak/) > [I like '1989,' the whole album. 'Welcome to New York,' 'Blank Space,' 'Bad Blood' - all of it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lillard/i-like-1989-the-whole-album-welcome-to-new-york-blank-space-bad-blood/) [Damian Lillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lillard/) > ['Deadpool Bad Blood' is a book that long-term fans of Wade Wilson can appreciate it along with newcomers and movie fans. We gave this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-liefeld/deadpool-bad-blood-is-a-book-that-long-term-fans-of-wade-wilson-can/) [Rob Liefeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-liefeld/) > [I'm always good mates with everyone and stay on the good side of people. I never let any bad blood between anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-simpson/i-m-always-good-mates-with-everyone-and-stay-on-the-good-side-of/) [Cody Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-simpson/) > [“How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/how-many-people-we-know-who-sour-their-lives-who-ruin-all-that-is/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“Are you sure that's Val?" "No," said Freddie. "It's Lassie in a wolf suit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-doyle-james-d-macdonald/are-you-sure-that-s-val-no-said-freddie-it-s-lassie-in-a-wolf-suit/) Debra Doyle, James D. MacDonald > [“His blood is bad. He needs to be leeched. The leeches suck away the bad blood, all the rage and pain. No man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/his-blood-is-bad-he-needs-to-be-leeched-the-leeches-suck-away-the-bad/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Why are you bothering? You've got an excuse. You've got bad blood. You must like living; I guess I would if I were you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/why-are-you-bothering-you-ve-got-an-excuse-you-ve-got-bad-blood-you/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“Shall I tell you a story? A new and terrible one? A ghost story? Are you ready? Shall I begin? Once upon a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/shall-i-tell-you-a-story-a-new-and-terrible-one-a-ghost-story-are-you/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) [Browse all 51 Bad blood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-blood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Turning back to embrace the past has been a long, slow lesson not only in self-esteem, but in patriotism—pride in homeland, heritage. It has taken a decade to whip the shame, to mispronounce words and shun grammar when mispronunciation and misspeaking are part of my dialect, to own the bad blood. 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