Award-winning-author Quote by Nikki Grimes
““The foster home they were leaving was no place to be. The mother, Mrs. Boone, slapped Paris around every time her real daughter did something that called for punishment…After each beating, the daughter, Lisa, would swear she had no clue how her mama got the mistaken notion that Paris was the one who'd smashed a favorite vase, or stained the kitchen tablecloth, or whatever. My name is Paris, not Stupid, Paris would say to herself.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The World Is Not a Rectangle” by Nikki Grimes, 1990
A child feels unjustly blamed and mistreated, highlighting the pain of being misidentified and the struggle for self‑assertion.
In simple terms: A child is wrongly blamed and feels hurt.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and speak up against unfair labeling.
Themes
identity
injustice
family dynamics
self‑esteem
Mood
frustrated
determined
Type
narrative
emotional
When to use this quote
- school bullying
- family conflict
- self‑advocacy
Key Concepts
misidentification
emotional abuse
resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond when you’re wrongly blamed?
- What steps can you take to protect your self‑worth?
A Different Perspective
Mislabeling can be deeply damaging and may be hard to correct.
![“[When asked about Writing Conferences] "You meet people that will change your life.” quote by Susan Wingate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d5/susan-wingate-280729_award-winning-author_when-asked-about-writing-conferences-you_75922.jpg)
