--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know that I'm talented, and I know that…" description: "\"I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here because I'm a gifted dancer.\" — Misty Copeland" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png" --- # I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in… ![“I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here because I'm a gifted dancer.” quote by Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png) > “I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here because I'm a gifted dancer.” [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She credits her success to talent, not race, emphasizing merit over identity. **In simple terms:** Talent, not race, earned her place. Key Takeaway Highlight skill over demographic labels. Themes talent race meritocracy Mood determined proud Type statement motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - artistic fields - social discourse Key Concepts identity politics self-affirmation Questions to Reflect On - How do you navigate identity and merit in your field? - Can talent alone overcome structural barriers? A Different Perspective Systemic bias may still affect opportunities despite talent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) ## Related quotes > [When the people you've already worked with are very talented and you know what they can do, if you think of a character that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurissa-tancharoen/when-the-people-you-ve-already-worked-with-are-very-talented-and-you/) [Maurissa Tancharoen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurissa-tancharoen/) > [But I'm also talented and I know when I created something great and Perfect Night is something great, no doubt, no but.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/but-i-m-also-talented-and-i-know-when-i-created-something-great-and/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [I know I'm talented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carpenter/i-know-i-m-talented/) [Richard Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carpenter/) > [I'm not naturally a gifted dancer, and I don't enjoy it. I didn't go to any of those classes in drama school 'cause I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-madden/i-m-not-naturally-a-gifted-dancer-and-i-don-t-enjoy-it-i-didn-t-go-to/) [Richard Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-madden/) > [Young, black, and GIFTED, I WRAP (rap) like it's Christmas Eve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole/young-black-and-gifted-i-wrap-rap-like-it-s-christmas-eve/) [J Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole/) > [Young black and gifted, I rap like it's Christmas eve. Coach wouldn't let him off the bench, no wonder why they quit the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-cole/young-black-and-gifted-i-rap-like-it-s-christmas-eve-coach-wouldn-t/) [J Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-cole/) > [I'm talented, I know what I want, and I believe in myself, and I'm true to myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-nell-tipton/i-m-talented-i-know-what-i-want-and-i-believe-in-myself-and-i-m-true/) [Ashley Nell Tipton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-nell-tipton/) > [“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/believe-in-yourself-you-are-braver-than-you-think-more-talented-than/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) > [There's an appreciation of the whole picture of life as opposed to just ambition and circumstance and all the stuff that happens in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-knight/there-s-an-appreciation-of-the-whole-picture-of-life-as-opposed-to/) [Wayne Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-knight/) > [It's crazy to accept the fact that you're not going to be the best player on the field every game. And as talented as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/it-s-crazy-to-accept-the-fact-that-you-re-not-going-to-be-the-best/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [I know where the people are and I know how talented people are. Sometimes they aren't given opportunities because people come with their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-mortimer/i-know-where-the-people-are-and-i-know-how-talented-people-are/) [Kareem Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-mortimer/) > [You are more beautiful then you know, more talented than you think, and more loved than you can imagine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-more-beautiful-then-you-know-more-talented-than-you-think-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You know you’re talented, that you have learned things, and built things, and that this will be recognized in time. Nobody else wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-you-re-talented-that-you-have-learned-things-and-built/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the '80s, a lot of kids, if you were kind of bright, you got bussed to schools out of your community. So you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamasi-washington/in-the-80s-a-lot-of-kids-if-you-were-kind-of-bright-you-got-bussed-to/) [Kamasi Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamasi-washington/) > [I'm always looking at the next thing. I'm too curious to look back...it's very hard to be unhappy when you're curious and grateful. You're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-minnelli/i-m-always-looking-at-the-next-thing-i-m-too-curious-to-look-back-it/) [Liza Minnelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-minnelli/) ## More by Misty Copeland > [I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-traced-the-marley-floor-with-my-pointe-shoes-and-imagine-myself-on/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/to-be-empathetic-to-everyone-around-you-i-think-is-such-a-powerful/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketball-court-i-m-in-my-gym-clothes/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [There are muscles that we have in our feet that most human beings don't even know that we have. The strength that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/there-are-muscles-that-we-have-in-our-feet-that-most-human-beings-don/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/be-strong-be-fearless-be-beautiful-and-believe-that-anything-is/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-woman-represents-ballet-she-is-most-important-powerful-and-vital/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [If I'm put in a situation where I am not really sure what's going to happen, it can be overwhelming. I get a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/if-i-m-put-in-a-situation-where-i-am-not-really-sure-what-s-going-to/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-never-experienced-getting-nervous-on-stage-i-think-i-was-most/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [The word "prodigy" was thrown around a lot, but I didn't understand what that meant, or the weight of it. It didn't really mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-word-prodigy-was-thrown-around-a-lot-but-i-didn-t-understand-what/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-that-the-ideal-physique-and-look-of-a-ballerina-is-always/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-through-a-ballet-like-swan-lake/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/perseverance-has-always-just-been-something-that-was-in-me-and-it-was/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I was 17 when I moved to NYC . I'm now 32. But I do know I can't see myself living anywhere else. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-17-when-i-moved-to-nyc-i-m-now-32-but-i-do-know-i-can-t-see/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-grew-up-poor-in-san-pedro-california-sleeping-on-the-floor-of-shady/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Explore all 191 Misty Copeland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) ## More American quotes > [I wasn't attracted to American cinema, but I fell in love with Los Angeles the minute I arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-varda/i-wasn-t-attracted-to-american-cinema-but-i-fell-in-love-with-los/) [Agnes Varda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-varda/) > [William Maxwell's my favorite North American writer, I think. 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The French…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-cowen/france-has-not-only-built-a-bureaucratic-barrier-against-american/) [Tyler Cowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-cowen/) > [New York and San Francisco are distinctly different. San Francisco is driving the American media, not New York. You have young, microwaved millionaires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-whitlock/new-york-and-san-francisco-are-distinctly-different-san-francisco-is/) [Jason Whitlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-whitlock/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. 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But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) Browse all 7,717 American quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here because I'm a gifted dancer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that-i-m-not-in-american-ballet/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that-i-m-not-in-american-ballet/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Misty Copeland", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I know that I'm talented, and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that-i-m-not-in-american-ballet/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that-i-m-not-in-american-ballet/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```