Causes Quote by Liz Garbus
“You know, and the fact that Nina Simone had to start playing in clubs and sing because her parents had moved north to support her music education. You know, so she had to sing. She had to make a living 'cause she was supporting her family. So poverty and race put her in this place which, you know, created enormous success, but it's not what her psyche was all about.”
About This Quote
Source Documentary: Nina Simone: What Happened to the Voice? (2015)
The quote highlights how socioeconomic hardship and racial barriers forced Nina Simone into performance work, shaping her career and artistic identity, while also creating tension between commercial success and personal fulfillment.
In simple terms: Hardship and race drove Simone's career, creating both success and inner conflict.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how external pressures shape artistic paths.
Themes
race
poverty
artistic integrity
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
biographical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- family responsibility
- creative expression
Key Concepts
sociology
music history
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do external pressures influence artistic choices?
- Can success be truly fulfilling when born of hardship?
A Different Perspective
Success driven by necessity may conflict with personal artistic vision.
![“Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from ear to ear. So I don’t want to mess up, [be]cause she’s smiling. Seeing my mom happy is kind of like an overwhelming feeling.” quote by Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/477/chris-brown-1887_causes_well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-w_4699.jpg)