Actually Quote by Roxane Gay
“I cut an imposing figure. I am large, and I'm tall, and I have tattoos. I am actually really quiet and shy, but maybe people see me, and they don't want to step out of line, or equate disagreement with stepping out of line with a writer they like.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Rumpus, 2015
The speaker describes a physically imposing but introverted self, noting how others may misinterpret or fear them, equating dissent with breaking norms.
In simple terms: A big, shy person feels misunderstood and feared.
Key Takeaway
Embrace authenticity despite others’ judgments.
Themes
identity
misunderstanding
confidence
social perception
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
personal
social
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- workplace dynamics
- public speaking
- social media interaction
Key Concepts
introversion
self‑presentation
stereotypes
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your appearance affect how others treat you?
- What steps can you take to convey your true self?
A Different Perspective
People may still judge based on appearance despite quiet nature.
![“Some people even think that I'm still just not right for it [ballet]. And I think it's shocking because they hear those words from critics saying I'm too bulky, I'm too busty. And then they meet me in person and they're like, you look like a ballerina. And I think it's just something maybe that I…” quote by Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dda/misty-copeland-2012_ballerina_some-people-even-think-that-i-m-still-ju_2708495.jpg)
![“Most of my favorite tweets go completely ignored but most of my favorite tweets are probably really lame or inside jokes between me and my [redacted]. See what I did there?” quote by Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b6/roxane-gay-520_ignored_most-of-my-favorite-tweets-go-completely_106926.jpg)
