I don't think the mainstream media understands people of color are multidimensional. For some reason, there's an idea that only white people are relatable. I don't think it's necessarily racist. But it's odd, because the people who watch the most television are black women, so we should be represented in more ways.

Issa Rae

Categorized in : People White Black Women

Confidence comes from creating something and knowing what I'm supposed to be doing and feeling like I'm good at what I'm supposed to be doing.

I'm always tempted to say, 'Nah, that won't work.' But I think you should be willing to try ideas out before saying no. Be open-minded.

trying thinking

It always amused me that there were people working for the good of altruism but also wanting a lot of credit for it. It's just oddly competitive and the environment and the people who decide to work at non-profits are just really funny to me.

altruism environment people

It's annoying when people confuse you with the character. by Issa Rae

It's annoying when people confuse you with the character.

annoying character people

Sometimes if I'm stuck on something, I'll have a drink, and it'll get me inspired and ready to keep going. But the trick to that, again, is that you have to drink responsibly! I've learned how to use it sometimes to help my creative process.

inspired creative helping

I don't think paintings of nude women represent all women, but at the same time, I can't fault artists for putting out what inspires and challenges them. But for me, I'm not sure it's necessary for our bodies to define us, especially now when there are so many examples of femininity, of womanhood.

artist challenges thinking

Respectfully, 'Awkward Black Girl' was never meant to be politically correct. We poke fun at ignorance.

black ignorance fun

Especially being a woman of color, sometimes it's hard for to put our foot down. You work with a lot of men, and they'll be like, "She has Joyner the best reputation".

reputation sometimes men

Entrepreneur means I did that s -- t by Issa Rae. by Issa Rae

Entrepreneur means I did that s -- t by Issa Rae.

As a teenager, my blackness was also questioned by some of the life choices I made that weren't considered to be 'black' choices. For example, joining the swim team when it is a known fact that 'black folk don't swim'; or choosing to become a vegetarian when blacks clearly love chicken.

black team love life

I thrive on obstacles. If I'm told that it can't be told, then I... by Issa Rae

I thrive on obstacles. If I'm told that it can't be told, then I push harder.

then push obstacles thrive

The very definition of 'blackness' is as broad as that of 'whiteness,' yet we're seemingly always trying to find a specific, limited definition.

find very always trying

I'll stick to finding the funny in the ordinary because my life is pretty ordinary and so are the lives of my friends - and my friends are hilarious.

my-life friends life funny

I would love 'Awkward Black Girl' to be on television, with the right team of people who understand and get it. If 'Awkward Black Girl' could make it to HBO starring a dark-skinned black girl, that would be revolutionary.

black girl love people

It's a bit cliche, but you can't go wrong by writing what you know. Even if you're a horrible writer, your own knowledge and experience is unrivaled. Nobody knows what you know like you know what you know. The way you see things is pretty unique.

nobody you experience knowledge

I never really had to put much thought into my race, and neither did anybody else. I knew I was black. I knew there was a history that accompanied my skin color, and my parents taught me to be proud of it. End of story.

parents me black history

People are tired of mainstream media's limited and confined portr... by Issa Rae

People are tired of mainstream media's limited and confined portrayal of people of color.

tired media color people

I wouldn't be anywhere without the Internet. by Issa Rae

I wouldn't be anywhere without the Internet.

anywhere without internet

You know, you have a lot of people - I've met a lot of people in the past, I've gone to private schools, you know, encountered different people who think that it's OK to make comments, insensitive comments about your race because they're joking. And think that if they're joking and they say it, you know, good-naturedly, that things will fly.

fly you people past

I think that television and the web are fusing anyway, so I think that ultimately whatever I do, I'm going to blend the two forms.

whatever think two television