--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's…" description: "\"Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,' or 'She's behaving in the stereotypical way of a black lesbian.' But this is how I feel most c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/lena-waithe-4351_authentic-self_somebody-could-look-at-me-and-go-she-s-d_1784741.jpg" --- # Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,'… ![“Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,' or 'She's behaving in the stereotypical way of a black lesbian.' But this is how I feel most comfortable. This is my authentic self. I want the freedom to be that regardless of how someone interprets it.” quote by Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/lena-waithe-4351_authentic-self_somebody-could-look-at-me-and-go-she-s-d_1784741.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/lena-waithe-4351_authentic-self_somebody-could-look-at-me-and-go-she-s-d_1784741.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbd/lena-waithe-4351_authentic-self_somebody-could-look-at-me-and-go-she-s-d_1784741.jpg) > “Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,' or 'She's behaving in the stereotypical way of a black lesbian.' But this is how I feel most comfortable. This is my authentic self. I want the freedom to be that regardless of how someone interprets it.” [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker emphasizes that personal identity and comfort should be authentic, regardless of external judgments or stereotypes. **In simple terms:** Be authentic despite others' stereotypes. Key Takeaway Live true to yourself, ignoring stereotypes. Themes identity Lity Ltereotypes Mood empowering defiant Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - workplace - public speaking Key Concepts self‑expression gender sexuality Questions to Reflect On - How can we support authentic self‑expression? - What barriers exist to living authentically? A Different Perspective Societal pressure can still force conformity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authentic self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authentic-self/) [Behaving Stereotypical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behaving-stereotypical-1893466/) [Black Lesbian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-lesbian-611954/) [Feel Comfortable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-comfortable/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Lesbian Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lesbian-feel-1893465/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [She](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/she/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [Because I'm a lesbian, I feel obligated to cut my hair short and wear men's clothing. I'm actually really Girly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/because-i-m-a-lesbian-i-feel-obligated-to-cut-my-hair-short-and-wear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being a black lesbian myself, I roll my eyes a little bit when I see black lesbian characters on shows where it's purely there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/being-a-black-lesbian-myself-i-roll-my-eyes-a-little-bit-when-i-see/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I've never been a person that has had fear of, like, 'Oh, I don't want to be the poster child for all black lesbian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-ve-never-been-a-person-that-has-had-fear-of-like-oh-i-don-t-want-to/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [“As a black lesbian feminist comfortable with the many different ingredients of my identity, and a woman committed to racial and sexual freedom from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/as-a-black-lesbian-feminist-comfortable-with-the-many-different-2/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [Sam, that's a great concept. And maybe you believe it. But I'm black and I'm a lesbian, so let me tell you: From what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-grant/sam-that-s-a-great-concept-and-maybe-you-believe-it-but-i-m-black-and/) [Michael Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-grant/) > [When I was at Baylor, I wasn't fully happy because I couldn't be all the way out. It feels so good saying it: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/when-i-was-at-baylor-i-wasn-t-fully-happy-because-i-couldn-t-be-all/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [I am a strong, black lesbian woman. Every single time I say it, I feel so much better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-a-strong-black-lesbian-woman-every-single-time-i-say-it-i-feel/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [There'll be a black lesbian in the White House before I'm James Bond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-everett/there-ll-be-a-black-lesbian-in-the-white-house-before-i-m-james-bond/) [Rupert Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-everett/) > [I stand here as a black lesbian feminist, having been invited to comment within the only panel at this conference where the input of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/i-stand-here-as-a-black-lesbian-feminist-having-been-invited-to/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [Who would've thought that this little girl in the ghetto in Philly would be playing the first black lesbian superhero on network TV?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/who-would-ve-thought-that-this-little-girl-in-the-ghetto-in-philly/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [Perhaps...I am the face of one of your fears. Because I am a woman, because I am Black, because I am a lesbian, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/perhaps-i-am-the-face-of-one-of-your-fears-because-i-am-a-woman/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [I am a strong, black, lesbian woman. Every time I say it, I feel so much better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brittney-griner/i-am-a-strong-black-lesbian-woman-every-time-i-say-it-i-feel-so-much/) [Brittney Griner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brittney-griner/) > [As a Black lesbian feminist comfortable with the many different ingredients of my identity, and a woman committed to racial and sexual freedom from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/as-a-black-lesbian-feminist-comfortable-with-the-many-different/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [Going into a room and saying, 'I'm a black lesbian' - it's a strike against you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-rees/going-into-a-room-and-saying-i-m-a-black-lesbian-it-s-a-strike/) [Dee Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-rees/) > [Sometimes being your most authentic self involves accepting others for who they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-the-drag-queen/sometimes-being-your-most-authentic-self-involves-accepting-others/) [Bob the Drag Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-the-drag-queen/) ## More by Lena Waithe > [I'm a huge fan of television, and the reason I'm a part of the world is because I'm a fan of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-m-a-huge-fan-of-television-and-the-reason-i-m-a-part-of-the-world/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it's gotten me a pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/to-be-yourself-is-truly-a-revolutionary-act-and-i-think-more-and-more/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-love-basketball-when-i-m-flying-and-i-have-on-sweats-a-hat-and/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The only way you really see change is by helping to create it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-only-way-you-really-see-change-is-by-helping-to-create-it/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/for-me-it-s-about-making-art-that-s-not-good-but-phenomenal-james/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [The truth is, for me, when I was a young black girl who knew I was different, was watching TV, I would always be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/the-truth-is-for-me-when-i-was-a-young-black-girl-who-knew-i-was/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [There's something specific about Chicagoans, and I just felt like I'd love to tell their story in a creative way. Not in a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/there-s-something-specific-about-chicagoans-and-i-just-felt-like-i-d/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/it-s-always-been-my-intention-to-never-be-boxed-in-i-never-like-to-do/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Most writers stick to what they know. The black experience is our experience, so it's not that challenging for us. That's why sometimes you'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/most-writers-stick-to-what-they-know-the-black-experience-is-our/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [Wearing one hoop earring and playing with the androgyny - that's who I am. That's what I like to do. And I feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/wearing-one-hoop-earring-and-playing-with-the-androgyny-that-s-who-i/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [You can talk all day long, but if you don't do something, it's a waste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/you-can-talk-all-day-long-but-if-you-don-t-do-something-it-s-a-waste/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I sort of knew very early on that I wanted to be a writer. Even in high school, I was a big movie buff,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-sort-of-knew-very-early-on-that-i-wanted-to-be-a-writer-even-in/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/my-family-still-lives-in-chicago-my-mother-my-sister-my-nephew-my/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [I feel like I've accomplished a lot, but for me, it's about pushing to the point where I can be Mark Walhberg, Ryan Murphy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/i-feel-like-i-ve-accomplished-a-lot-but-for-me-it-s-about-pushing-to/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) > [With 'The Chi,' it's me observing my own city and also pulling some things from themes I've dealt with in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-waithe/with-the-chi-it-s-me-observing-my-own-city-and-also-pulling-some/) [Lena Waithe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) [Explore all 112 Lena Waithe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-waithe/) ## More Authentic self quotes > [Sometimes being your most authentic self involves accepting others for who they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-the-drag-queen/sometimes-being-your-most-authentic-self-involves-accepting-others/) [Bob the Drag Queen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-the-drag-queen/) > [Accepting the reality of our sinfulness means accepting our authentic self. Judas could not face his shadow; Peter could. The latter befriended the impostor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/accepting-the-reality-of-our-sinfulness-means-accepting-our-authentic/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus your energy on what you can create.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/instead-of-worrying-about-what-you-cannot-control-focus-your-energy/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [“The biggest mistake people make when trying to be authentic is just that: they try. They see these role models of what an "authentic"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/the-biggest-mistake-people-make-when-trying-to-be-authentic-is-just/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [Representing the U.S.A. is one of the greatest honors of my life, and being able to do it as my authentic self makes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rippon/representing-the-u-s-a-is-one-of-the-greatest-honors-of-my-life-and/) [Adam Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rippon/) > [I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I've become. If I had, I'd have done it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-had-no-idea-that-being-your-authentic-self-could-make-me-as-rich-as/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [I met people on college campuses who were defining themselves as genderqueer to express revolutionary feelings, or to communicate their individuality; they were gender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/i-met-people-on-college-campuses-who-were-defining-themselves-as/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [ We \[Facebook\] really believe in enabling people to be their authentic selves on the web, and enabling people to communicate directly with each other… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/we-facebook-really-believe-in-enabling-people-to-be-their-authentic/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [Bring the best of your Authentic Self to every opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jantsch/bring-the-best-of-your-authentic-self-to-every-opportunity/) [John Jantsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jantsch/) > [“In spite of the horror, in spite of the tragedy, in spite of the weeks of sleepless nights, I'm finally alive. I'm not pretending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-bass/in-spite-of-the-horror-in-spite-of-the-tragedy-in-spite-of-the-weeks/) [Ellen Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-bass/) > [I feel inauthentic at a party. ... Going to a party is a 'low' activity - the authentic self is compromised, fragmented - one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/i-feel-inauthentic-at-a-party-going-to-a-party-is-a-low-activity-the/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [I was raised by a woman who was her true and authentic self. So I feel like it's very important to put on for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-thee-stallion/i-was-raised-by-a-woman-who-was-her-true-and-authentic-self-so-i-feel/) [Megan Thee Stallion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-thee-stallion/) > [Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-deepest-calling-is-to-grow-into-our-own-authentic-self-hood/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The master in us all lives behind the masks and roles and wounds and beliefs. It calls us to live deep, full, radical lives.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-nordby/the-master-in-us-all-lives-behind-the-masks-and-roles-and-wounds-and/) [Jacob Nordby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-nordby/) > [Once you accept and rejoice in your authenticity, you begin to see things as YOU are. You begin to see the authentic self is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/once-you-accept-and-rejoice-in-your-authenticity-you-begin-to-see/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) [Browse all 245 Authentic self quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authentic-self/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Somebody could look at me and go, 'She's dressed black,' or 'She's behaving in the stereotypical way of a black lesbian.' But this is how I feel most comfortable. This is my authentic self. 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