Sassy Feminist Quotes

When it comes to Black women, sometimes Americans don’t recognize that sass is simply a more palatable form of rage. Americans adore sassy Black women. You know those caricatures of finger-waving, eye-rolling Black women at whom everyone loves to laugh—women like Tyler Perry’s Madea, Mammy in Gone with the Wind, or Nell from that old eighties sitcom Gimme a Break! These kinds of Black women put white folks at ease.

This is a feminist book. It is not a cheery instruction manual for how to negotiate modern patriarchy, with a sassy wink and a thumbs-up. It is not a charming, comforting book about sex and shopping and shoes. I am unable to write any such thing. I cannot force a smile for you. As a handbook for happiness in a fucked-up world, this book cannot be trusted.

… in defiance of intellect that had always placed her so far at the top of her classes, they had to keep inventing new ceilings for her.

All along the streets to the museum, Beth met no trouble. Her plain brown coat, accompanied by a small hat and gloves and air of cultivated intelligence, triggered fear in any man who glanced her way. One catcall and she might educate them.