I am interested in personal stories because that’s when people become expressive, spontaneous and heartfelt. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
I call the language of political figures, pundits and administrators ‘the haute couture of language.’ Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
I think it’s really important to give yourself a very big question that you’re working on that you can come home to, even if you, you know, are going to have to go without a cup of coffee or even a meal, that that should nourish you. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
Suddenly in high school, I’m in a predominantly Jewish atmosphere. Jewish people were my gate to white America. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
I think some of our most talented people are not going to pick the arts as a way that they’re going to spend their lives. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
Well, the terrible thing right now, and I don’t know the statistics, but there’s a growing concern in some communities about how rapidly people are sent from school to jail, how quickly they’re put into the criminal justice system. And of course the rapidly growing number of brown people, both men and women, in prison. And this is terrible. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
I remember from my father’s funeral that the minister kept using a metaphor about life of a prism. And I took that away like a cherished image. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
I think as a kid I always liked to listen to people. I loved hearing stories. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
What my work is, is my approach to it. It’s the practice. And my work is about the effort that I make to get there. And I think if there’s anything artistic, it’s in that middle space. Anna Deavere Smith Read Quote
