The difference between science and the arts is not that they are different sides of the same coin… or even different parts of the same continuum, but rather, they are manifestations of the same thing. The arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity.
Mae JemisonWe look at science as something very elite, which only a few people can learn. That's just not true. You just have to start early and give kids a foundation. Kids live up, or down, to expectations.
Mae JemisonWhen I'm asked about the relevance to Black people of what I do, I take that as an affront. It presupposes that Black people have never been involved in exploring the heavens, but this is not so. Ancient African empires - Mali, Songhai, Egypt - had scientists, astronomers. The fact is that space and its resources belong to all of us, not to any one group.
Mae JemisonGreatness can be captured in one word: lifestyle. Life is God's gift to you, style is what you make of it.
Mae JemisonYou have the right to be involved. You have something important to contribute, and you have to take the risk to contribute it.
Mae JemisonThe thing that I have done throughout my life is to do the best job that I can and to be me.
Mae JemisonNever be limited by other people's limited imaginations. If you adopt their attitudes, then the possibility won't exist because you'll have already shut it out...You can hear other people's wisdom, but you've got to re-evaluate the world for yourself.
Mae JemisonNever limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.
Mae JemisonAs an astronaut, you have a very defined set of tasks to do. Those tasks may require you to work 60, 70 or 80 hours a week.
Mae JemisonMy parents were comfortable with me exploring areas that they were not proficient in. Some parents just aren't comfortable with that.
Mae JemisonI wanted to be a professional dancer for a period of time, and I did a lot of dancing and choreography and got paid for it.
Mae JemisonScience provides an understanding of a universal experience, and arts provides a universal understanding of a personal experience.
Mae JemisonOnce I got into space, I was feeling very comfortable in the universe. I felt like I had a right to be anywhere in this universe, that I belonged here as much as any speck of stardust, any comet, any planet.
Mae JemisonWhat we find is that if you have a goal that is very, very far out, and you approach it in little steps, you start to get there faster. Your mind opens up to the possibilities.
Mae JemisonSciences provide an understanding of a universal experience, Arts are a universal understanding of a personal experience... they are both a part of us and a manifestation of the same thing... the arts and sciences are avatars of human creativity
Mae JemisonPeople always think of technology as something having silicon in it. But a pencil is technology. Any language is technology. Technology is a tool we use to accomplish a particular task and when one talks about appropriate technology in developing countries, appropriate may mean anything from fire to solar electricity.
Mae Jemison