Jamilah Lemieux Quotes

I think that the language that we use is a ritual, that my [maternal] grandmother was called "Big Mama" is a ritual, that my daughter calls my father "Baba" and my mother "Mama" is a ritual. There are common African-American rituals that are a part of my experience. If I ever get married some day I would like to jump the broom.

I think there`s so much of us broken for Americans and particularly African-Americans. I think it`s impossible to separate fully some 50-plus allegations of sexual misconduct or sexual assault from Bill Cosby is as a philanthropist or an actor.

I identify as African American. I identify as Black. Black is something I share with other descendants of Africa, African-American is something I share with other Black descendants of America and both of those identities are of equal importance to me.

There`s no joy to be had seeing any black man, any black man taking a perp walk, let alone some of whom meant so much to us for so long.

Identity is very personal...identity is political. My identity is what is and it is what it's gonna be. And I don't think that any information will change that profoundly...I [already] know that I am a Black woman, and a Black woman who has mixed some heritage, like most African Americans.