My mom is from New Orleans. And all of my maternal relatives were there during Katrina. We couldn't even find my uncle for four months. We literally didn't know where he was. I had been there just four days before the storm hit. Jurnee Smollett-Bell More Quotes by Jurnee Smollett-Bell More Quotes From Jurnee Smollett-Bell With 'Underground,' we see that the wounds that we all as a nation inflicted upon our brothers and sisters during slavery have not been healed, there's still a really divisive residue in our nation that's called racism and prejudice and oppression and sexism. Jurnee Smollett-Bell politics It's such a privilege for all of us to be able to be used as a vessel to tell this sacred story. Jurnee Smollett-Bell politics Honestly, I have so much hope for all of us, we are being called to action, and I really see a movement of love, a movement of positivity really gaining so much momentum. If anything, that's what I want to focus my energy on. Jurnee Smollett-Bell politics I walk in a space of gratitude. I'm so grateful to God for blessing me with an amazing family and the opportunity to do what I love. Jurnee Smollett-Bell gratitudefamilygodlove We all try to pretend we're the person we want to be when we're really not, and you've just gotta be willing to say, 'Here are all my flaws; here's who I am - take it or leave it. If you love me still, then let's do this.' Jurnee Smollett-Bell i-ammeyoulove I think, as human beings, we try to hide our flaws and try to present this perfect person, this person we wish we were, to our spouse when that causes so many troubles. Jurnee Smollett-Bell hidethinkflawswish I started shooting 'The Defenders' two days after I wrapped' Friday Night Lights.' I was doing research for 'The Defenders' throughout - interviewing lawyers and sitting in courtrooms just to watch - but there's something fun about throwing yourself in the water and learning by doing. Jurnee Smollett-Bell yourselflearningwaternight People look at you, and they think they know you. They think they can place you in a certain category by what they think they know about you. But there's so much more to all of us than what we know and what we see at face value. Jurnee Smollett-Bell facelookyoupeople We used to play touch football, where you put the little rag in your pocket. I was good because I was fast. I wasn't the greatest at catching. Sometimes the ball would come so hard and fast that it'd knock the wind out of me. Jurnee Smollett-Bell goodmeyoufootball Little Richard played my uncle on 'Full House.' He's fabulous. I remember him being incredibly kind to me. I just remember him being super, super nice. Jurnee Smollett-Bell unclemeniceremember Injustice is either very blatant - you walk down the street and someone calls you a name; you don't get a job because of your gender or your skin color or your sexual preference - but injustice is also very subliminal. Jurnee Smollett-Bell walkjobyougender Part of an ensemble show is realizing it's a collaboration. It's like a symphony. Everybody takes their turn, but it's really the collective group that matters. Jurnee Smollett-Bell turnlikegroupcollaboration Oftentimes, a history book in school will talk about the Underground Railroad as if it's one sentence. But thousands of people decided to run, and they single-handedly changed the trajectory of our nation. By running to the North, they put a face to slavery, which recruited a lot of abolitionists. Jurnee Smollett-Bell facehistorypeopleschool If I have a jump rope and a resistance band, I can work out anywhere. Even without a jump rope. If you do 200 jumping jacks, then drop and do some crunches, and then do some squats, you're good. Jurnee Smollett-Bell goodyoui-canwork Marian Wright Edelman is a mentor and hero of mine. Jurnee Smollett-Bell wrightminementorhero I like sitting down and watching games. Jurnee Smollett-Bell watchingdownlikesitting I love music, and I love drumlines. I like school bands a lot. There's nothing wrong with cheerleading, but I'd rather be a band geek. It's a little more interesting. Jurnee Smollett-Bell nothingmusicloveschool I don't really think about the critics or the commercial success. Jurnee Smollett-Bell aboutthinkcriticssuccess Everyone has a past, but I try not to let that affect the way I see them; I want to get to know who they are today. Jurnee Smollett-Bell knowtodaywaypast When I was younger, I really struggled with confidence. Jurnee Smollett-Bell struggledyoungerreallyconfidence
