"I rather dance than eat, I would rather feel beautiful than be hated."
Josephine Baker expresses a profound preference for personal fulfillment and self-expression over mundane necessities or negative emotions. Through her love for dancing and embracing beauty, she chooses to uplift herself rather than succumb to feelings of hatred or negativity. This quote encapsulates the importance of pursuing one's passions and cultivating a positive outlook on life.
"You know you are alive when you can look forward to something every day."
This quote by Josephine Baker emphasizes the importance of anticipation and hope in our daily lives. It suggests that experiencing a sense of excitement or joy about what's coming next, whether it's big or small, is a key indicator of being alive - not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. It encourages us to find something each day that we look forward to, fostering positivity and motivation in our daily routines.
"To think of being back home again, where I belong - that's all the happiness a girl could ever want."
This quote by Josephine Baker expresses a deep longing for home, a place where she feels she truly belongs. For Baker, "home" is not just a geographical location, but a space of belonging, acceptance, and identity - a feeling that every individual desires to some extent. The phrase "all the happiness a girl could ever want" underscores the profound significance of finding one's place in the world, as it represents a pinnacle of contentment for her.
"I don't want to be anybody's savior. I just want to be me."
This quote from Josephine Baker asserts her desire for personal freedom and self-expression, rather than being defined or constrained by others' expectations of her as a "savior" or symbol of cultural representation. She seeks to live authentically as herself, rather than taking on the burden of saving or rescuing others from their circumstances.
"I am not anyone's property: I refuse to be bought or sold."
This quote by Josephine Baker underscores her strong stance against objectification and commodification, particularly in reference to women. It signifies her personal freedom, her unwillingness to be reduced to an object, and her refusal to conform to societal norms that view women as possessions. In essence, she asserts the importance of individual autonomy and self-worth, challenging the systems that devalue human beings based on their gender or race.
I remember when Lindbergh arrived in Paris, I was one of the first persons to know about his landing, because as the French people know that I was born in St. Louis, thinking I would be very proud to announce it to the public, they gave me the news first. I was then starring in the 'Folies Bergere.'
- Josephine Baker
When I was a child and they burned me out of my home, I was frightened and I ran away. Eventually I ran far away. It was to a place called France. Many of you have been there, and many have not. But I must tell you, ladies and gentlemen, in that country I never feared. It was like a fairyland place.
- Josephine Baker
My people have a country of their own to go to if they choose... Africa... but, this America belongs to them just as much as it does to any of the white race... in some ways even more so, because they gave the sweat of their brow and their blood in slavery so that many parts of America could become prosperous and recognized in the world.
- Josephine Baker
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