When I think about women of color and their place politically in the world and culture... they've had two layers of just garbage to overcome. To me, a black woman is a woman-woman. Katherine Ryan More Quotes by Katherine Ryan More Quotes From Katherine Ryan I do meet people from my act from time to time, They give me a little flicker of worry - 'Have I been unfair?' But I'm usually talking about a greater narrative or a scene. I'm not just destroying them personally, The Cheryl Cole bit isn't about Cheryl Cole so much as our tendency as a celebrity-consuming culture to put people on a pedestal just for what they look like. It's about us and how quickly we shift in terms of approval or disapproval. Katherine Ryan worry giving people I try not to focus on politics too much - I would never be described as a hugely political woman - but the fact of the matter is, just me being a female, immigrant, stand-up comedian, single-mother ... that is political. We still live in a world where a woman with a voice is a political gesture. Katherine Ryan comedian political focus Every time a journalist will say: "Can women be funny? Can women be pilots? Can women be scientists?" It's less of a question and more of a statement after a while that makes you believe that maybe we can't. I think that's dangerous. I was really happy that I didn't have those barriers, but now I recognize the barriers of many other people. Katherine Ryan believe people thinking I am an undisputed gangster. To me, that means playing by my own rules. Katherine Ryan gangster i-am me my-own Part of me has always wanted to be like Marilyn Monroe or any Fifties Hollywood starlet. On screen, they seemed so sexy and simple and looked after. In real life, I'm none of those things. But I'd rather be fierce and complicated. Katherine Ryan me sexy simple life I'm not interested in younger men for the same reason most women aren't interested in younger men; I don't have time to make an extra packed lunch every morning. Please. I'm busy enough already. Katherine Ryan women time morning men I feel like I'm always on the right side of wrong and trying to shout out for the underdog. Katherine Ryan wrong feel always trying Christmas coming means one thing for comedians: office party gigs! Katherine Ryan coming party christmas office Anything that I'm passionate about and surprises me usually ends up turning into a joke simply because I have questions about it and I'm curious and I want to talk about it. Katherine Ryan joke me curious want I have little time for sincerity. Katherine Ryan little little-time sincerity time If you're struggling for gift ideas, my advice is to give experiences rather than things. Katherine Ryan gift you advice ideas I'm nearly see-through. Like a jellyfish. Katherine Ryan nearly like I know a lot about systemic lupus erythematosus because I have it, too. I was diagnosed through the NHS when I first moved to England in 2008 following months of serious illness. Katherine Ryan about through know serious All I've ever wanted to be is a strong, powerful, beautiful black woman. Katherine Ryan woman black strong beautiful People who like my stuff and know what my agenda is have never mistaken me for being racist or poking fun at the wrong thing. Katherine Ryan never me fun people Alice Levine has great unique style and beautiful red hair. Katherine Ryan great red style beautiful When you're little, every experience writes on the canvas of who you are. Katherine Ryan who you canvas experience Racism is what acquitted O. J. Simpson. Katherine Ryan acquitted simpson racism Isolated incidents have lateral, lasting implications. Katherine Ryan isolated incidents lasting Our attention spans have been reduced by the immediate gratification provided by smartphones and social media. Katherine Ryan been social-media media attention