Home / Quotes / Quote by Vivek Shraya

Quote by Vivek Shraya

“When I wouldn't leave home without my blue contacts or when I was bleaching my hair, I didn't have the language to articulate that I was trying to assimilate to whiteness. If anything, I was trying to "look normal."”

Quote by Vivek Shraya

Author

Vivek Shraya is a Canadian singer known for her unique musical style and diverse artistic expression. Born in 1981, she has a passion for music from a young age and has showcased her talents across various fields. more

You May Also Like

“In my thirties, I have felt a greater urgency to make art that highlights what it feels like to be racialized, likely due to living in a country that obscures our racism with the idea of "multiculturalism."”

Feels Art Ideas Country Felt Greater Racism Dues Multiculturalism Urgency Highlights

Author:Vivek Shraya

“I didn't want to give the white reader an opportunity to think of racism as imaginary - a sentiment that is already a central barrier in addressing the problem.”

Thinking Want Giving Problem Opportunity White Reader Racism Barriers Sentiments Imaginary

Author:Vivek Shraya

“I continue to explore poetry.”

Author:Vivek Shraya

“In poetry, I didn't have to provide resolution. I could ask hard questions without feeling responsible for the answers.”

Hard Feelings Asks Answers Responsible Resolution Hard Questions

Author:Vivek Shraya

“As a general rule, I tend to collaborate with artists whose work I admire.”

Author:Vivek Shraya

“As a person of color, I know race can't be stripped from admiration or preference.”

Knows Persons Race Color Admiration Preference

Author:Vivek Shraya

“If anything, I have witnessed the ways my art travels, or is rendered more accessible, when sanctioned by or connected to white artists.”

Ifs Way Art Artist White Connected

Author:Vivek Shraya

“I am more likely to get paid for my art if it's presented alongside a white artist, so the questions around value and agency arise: What choices should I make, or do I have to make, if I want to be compensated for my work? Why isn't my art valued on its own?”

Ifs Want Should Art Artist Values Choices White Paid Arise Agency Should I

Author:Vivek Shraya

“Should I be collaborating with artists of color solely because of their race and my politics? This question is weighted with my own worry that I have been invited to speak or collaborate solely because of my race, and not because of my abilities.”

Should Has Beens Artist Speak My Own Ability Race Worry Color Should I Invited Collaborating

Author:Vivek Shraya

“Despite the fact that I'm not highly skilled in any visual art, aesthetics have always played a strong role in my art, including my first albums.”

Firsts Art Facts Strong Roles Including Albums Despite Visuals Aesthetics Visual Art

Author:Vivek Shraya