Janet Mock Quotes

If we don't center the voices of marginalized people, we're doing the wrong work.

Creating whole departments of ethnic, gender, and other 'studies' was part of the price of academic peace. All too often, these 'studies' are about propaganda rather than serious education.

Fault lines run along color lines in American public life, and the women's movement is no exception. Over the years, feminism has become more inclusive but there is still hard work to be done to include LGBT women and communities of color.

Historically, people of color and the Diaspora have been at the bottom of the barrel, even as it relates to immigration. If we don't engage in the discussion, then what is it that we're saying to people? That we don't care?

I consider myself a social justice person.

Awards shows are being pushed to shed their genteel limousine liberalism and embrace the race-gender-sexual identity agenda in full.

I don't believe that the fight for trans rights or African American rights is different from the fight against war, or the fight for refugees.

People want to know and understand each other across lines of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability.

We need to band together in solidarity. There's so many portions of our community that are under-represented. You rarely see disabled actors on movie posters or black men or Latino guys.

If I only care about equality for transgender people, then I am leaving so many people behind - if I'm not at the same time seeking to end discrimination against people of color, seeking to end discrimination against women, seeking to ensure that people of every religious background have an equal opportunity.

Creating more characters that represent historically marginalized and historically disenfranchised people in television and film is certainly important.

I'm just about social justice. Amen to women like me!

I tend to gravitate toward gender- and race-related stories.

We'll always be re-examining how we relate to each other in terms of race and gender, in terms of power and access.

I'm obviously fighting for my community simply because I'm trans, and I have to do that, and I do it because that's my existence. I wake up in the morning, and that is my activism.

There's a burden of responsibility for me to show up correct - in my head, if I don't do it right, then I'll get shut out, and then other trans women of color will be shut out.

None of us live single-issue lives... That is why intersectionality is a strength, not a weakness.

When folks say 'identity politics' don't matter, it simply reinforces the norm of a white, middle-class, cis narrative and further marginalizes the rest of us who don't share that identity.

When marginalized people gain voice and center their own experiences, things begin changing. And we see this in all kinds of grassroots movements.

The better we understand how identities and power work together from one context to another, the less likely our movements for change are to fracture.

It is paramount that we take control of the story behind our movement, which is that we seek equality for all Americans, no matter their race or gender.

I think it's important for not just me but women of color, trans women, and people who are marginalized to be telling stories of themselves. It's important for us to be behind the lens.

We have to be intentional with including trans women, all women, all marginalized people. Whether we say 'Me Too' or call ourselves feminists or strive to create a diverse workplace that reflects the world we live in, it's all about being intentional.

If more stories are told about marginalized communities, subcultures, and minorities, the less marginalized they will be.

My mother has always rooted for the underdog, so to speak. She has always been in support of uplifting historically marginalized and historically disenfranchised people.