Shell S.

“One of my podcasting friends told me that he does stick up for women in challenging situations, like testosterone-soaked comedy greenrooms, for instance, but complained, “I get mocked for it!” Yes, I know you do. Welcome. Getting yelled at and made fun of is where many of us live all the time. Speaking up costs us friends, jobs, credibility, and invisible opportunities we’ll never even know enough about to regret.”
― Lindy West, The Witches are Coming

“It's a modern twist on the French poet Anatole France's quip 'The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.' In [i]Citizens United[/i], it is more like 'The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the government from prohibiting rich and poor alike from expending billions of dollars in politics.”
― Leah Litman, Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes

“Unlike being nice, kindness is not about what you're portraying, but what you're doing...applying actual love to make the world a better place. Sure, you may smile nicely at the old woman on the bus, but kindness is what makes you give up your seat for her.... Niceness is a mask many folks can wear because that is simply a part of being in a society. ... The pretend politeness of niceness can get in the way of tactful honesty and constructive critique that can be essential to advancing people and projects to a higher plane. As I've gotten older, I've learned that being 'nice' about something can save you conflict, but often, being real about it can save you time. You just gotta learn when, where, and how to apply your realness. Nonetheless kindness always has a place in the game, even if it's just being kind to yourself. ... All you can do is try your best to be yourself and make a practice of being kind.”
― Amanda Seales, Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use

“Art didn't invent oppressive gender roles, racial strereotyping, or rape culture, but it reflects, polishes , and sells them back to us every moment of our waking lives. We make art and it makes us simultaneously. Shouldn't it follow, then, that we can change ourselves by changing what we make?”
― Lindy West, The Witches Are Coming