Change the world Quote by Paul Beatty
“I remember going to see Amiri Baraka. It wasn't actually too long before he died. He said, "You've got to write to change the world!" I was like, "Not me, no, no, no, no."”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Conversation with Paul Beatty, 2015
The quote reflects a tension between artistic ambition to effect societal change and personal doubt about one's capacity to do so.
In simple terms: Writer feels pressure to change the world but doubts themselves.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge doubts but keep writing.
Themes
art
self-doubt
social responsibility
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- activist writing
- personal journaling
- public speaking
- community organizing
Key Concepts
literature
activism
identity
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you find a small way to influence your community?
- What does "changing the world" mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Change often requires collective effort, not just individual work.
![“I was roommates with 2 of the guys who were influential in forming the Black Arts philosophy. I called them "goons," and [Amiri] Baraka took offense at that. But if you read his autobiography, the night we went up there for a fundraiser, he talks about how he wished that some violence would happen…” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bd/ishmael-reed-7430_art_i-was-roommates-with-2-of-the-guys-who-w_2825561.jpg)
![“I don't know why people always compare me [ with Amiri Baraka] I was never part of the Black Arts Repertory Theater or the Black Arts Movement; people who claim that I was are wrong. I was downtown. I was living in Chelsea when they were operating in Harlem.” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ec/ishmael-reed-7430_art_i-don-t-know-why-people-always-compare-m_1439827.jpg)
![“As for [Amiri] Baraka, he and I have disagreements. I mean, he becomes a demagogue when there's an audience. He's a nice guy in private. I mean I like the guy; he's a terrific writer. I've published two of his books. Baraka is one of these fundamentalists who is prone to idol worship.” quote by Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f16/ishmael-reed-7430_audience_as-for-amiri-baraka-he-and-i-have-disagr_1091138.jpg)
![“I'll say this, and it'll sound like bullshit, but it's not: I don't really pay attention to this stuff [Man Booker Prize] very much. I think part of it is I can see myself wondering who's doing what and getting jealous, and none of that's healthy for me. So I just don't really.” quote by Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/830/paul-beatty-6684_attention_i-ll-say-this-and-it-ll-sound-like-bulls_289719.jpg)
![“There are always so many things happening [to us] at one time. We read Isherwood's A Single Man in class, and we had to ask: How is he talking about all this stuff: teaching, being lonely, all his memories, all at the same time? He's telling us: This is where my head is at, let me be…” quote by Paul Beatty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/642/paul-beatty-6684_asks_there-are-always-so-many-things-happenin_425418.jpg)
