Being honest Quote by Jesmyn Ward
“I came to the realization that I had failed in some respects because I had been more of a benevolent narrator than the world I saw reflected around me, and in the lives of the people in my community, and in my family. There was no benevolent God sparing us pain and loss and grief and struggle. If I was going to continue to write about the place where I am from, and the kind of people who live in my community and who are in my family, I owed it to them to be honest with what our lives are like.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Men We Were Made to Love Each Other, Jesmyn Ward, 2020
The author realizes that portraying community life requires honesty, not comforting narratives, acknowledging pain and struggle without divine rescue.
In simple terms: Be truthful about hardship instead of offering false comfort.
Key Takeaway
Write with unflinching honesty.
Themes
honesty
community
realism
faith
responsibility
Mood
reflective
somber
thoughtful
Type
literary
personal
ethical
When to use this quote
- journalism
- fiction writing
- family memoirs
- community activism
Key Concepts
narrative authenticity
ethical storytelling
human suffering
Questions to Reflect On
- How does honesty change your relationship with your community?
- What responsibilities do writers have to their subjects?
A Different Perspective
Faith may not provide the comfort expected, making honest portrayal emotionally taxing.
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