Jamaica Kincaid Quotes

These haters can't hold me back.

Being told you're too small and never going to make it is an opinion. And it's a valid opinion, and it's something you take in your stride.

Somebody has said something - or not just somebody, hundreds, thousands of people have something negative to say about me. I have learned that if I'm going to continue to do what I'm supposed to do and move forward, then I cannot let that faze me.

I am so dedicated, so passionate, and that counts for more than what crazy people throw at me.

One girl came up to me - I remember it so vividly - she said, "You're not fit to model socks." It crushed me. But at the same time, it made me unbelievably determined to prove everybody wrong and prove to myself that I could live an incredible life.

You're always going to face criticism, you're always going to face challenges, but those things are there to make you stronger and more committed.

You’ve got to worry about the next play…Keep believing because people aren’t always going to like you but you have to believe in the people around you…You’re going to get knocked down but it’s how many times you get back up.

When people keep telling you that you can't do a thing, you kind of like to try it.

Some people have a tendency to get knocked down in this business and sulk and whine, and they just create a rod for their back, really. You have to have broad shoulders and get through it.

I was kind of a volatile personality, very intense. Because of that, I drew some criticism and people would say things about me, and my parents had tried to defend me. I would just tell them don't worry about it. Our day will come.

I remember when I was in college, people told me I couldn't play in the NBA. There's always somebody saying you can't do it, and those people have to be ignored.

People like to tear you down. People are always going to take shots. You've just got to go for it.

People will tell you that you can't do it, no matter what you are trying to do, so you just have to really keep at it.

If I listened to my critics, I would still be at home under my bed right now.

I've been shut down, run down, talked about, dogged out, but that never stopped me from the being the true me that's here and will be here.

If you keep your feathers well oiled the water of criticism will run off as from a duck's back.

When I started acting, I was told over and over again, 'You're no good.' But I said to myself, 'You've got to keep it up.'

I've always had to prove myself to people growing up. I had to show them that I could do this and I could do that and paying no mind to what the critics said.

When things are difficult, you have to be sure of who you are and what you want to achieve.

I grew up a skinny kid with a funny last name and coke bottle glasses, so I experienced my fair share of bullies. But I learned, with the help of humor and resilience, to never give up.

When I have criticism that I feel is unfair, the rejection does disturb me, but it also strengthens me. I used to get turned down for all sorts of jobs. I used to writhe in pain, but then I would say, 'Good. Good. I will get stronger for this.'

When people talk trash about me and doubt me, I just use it as motivation.

I've experienced industry politics and... people telling me I'm never going to make it. I'll never listen. I'm doing me.

I knew no matter how good I did, no matter everything that I pushed for, there's always gonna be some type of doubt. Some people want to put limitations on what I can do.

I used to be affected by criticism thrown at me, and I would get really down. But I got to a point where I just decided to go for it, no matter what negativity is around you.