Stevie Smith Quotes

I don't want anyone to ever say that I don't belong where I am.

Be yourself. And if you're not accepted by your family, there will be people who will accept you.

It does not matter how you came into the world, what matters is that you are here.

For me, you don't ever want to be defined by the color of your skin. You want to be defined by your work ethic, the person that you are, your character, your personality. That's what I've tried to go out and do.

I hope that every film I make has something to offer in the area of making people feel either vindicated or different in terms of who they are.

Who included me among the ranks of the human race?

Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.

You know, you don't have to look like everybody else to be acceptable and to feel acceptable.

There was a time when I desperately wanted to be part of a Yash Chopra film, not because he was a great director, but because I was an outsider and I wanted that validation of being accepted in the film industry.

Socially I never was an outsider. I have never thought of the conflict element before frankly, but perhaps it was wanting to belong, and at the same time wanting to retain one's own personality.

If I don't belong because of what I think and because of my opinions, then so be it. What can one do about it? One can't bend over backwards or pretend to be someone else just to belong. And in any case, it doesn't work. Once you no longer belong, it's over.

The truth is all kinds of people exist everywhere. So let's tell their stories, too.

Even if we all want you here, you don't belong until you decide you do.

I think all kids should have something they feels is theirs.

I come from a place where I find it hard to identify with a label.

I hope that I can be an inspiration to kids that are young and may feel different or may feel like they don't belong.

I deal with a lot of wonderful gay people. I hire a lot of them. I use a lot of them. I respect them. They're terrific. I am good friends with them. But you live your life the way you want to live, and I'll live mine, and I won't stick my nose in yours.

We are all trying to make it the best way we know how, so when we look at each other as individuals and nations, we should do so with compassion.

I wish they would only take me as I am.

It is not necessary to deny another's reality in order to affirm your own.

We are not special. We are not crap or trash, either. We just are. We just are, and what happens just happens.

You have to respect everybody's desires and way of living.

I remember while I was at school some of my Muslim friends talked about a handful of people spoiling things in every culture. Hatred or hurt or pain isn't specific to a religion. I think it's a matter of acceptance. The one thing the world has to accept is everybody is different. What is normal to us is different and unusual to somebody else.

I can't feel bad about being who I am, just like the girl next to me can't feel bad about being who she is. Because a rose can never be a sunflower, and a sunflower can never be a rose.

I want young people to know that they can belong - whatever your culture, your religion, your sexuality - that you can live life how you want to live it and feel comfortable how you are.