Na'im Akbar Quotes

To a certain extent, this tour is a celebration of individuality and that you can invent and reinvent yourself. You should have the power to be able to do that. Sexuality is a part of that. It should release you. It doesn't have to be an issue. It shouldn't box you in.

To free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves - there lies the great, singular power of self-respect.

So long as we need to control other people, however benign our motives, we are captive to that need. In giving them freedom, we free ourselves.

Be an independent thinker at all times, and ignore anyone who attempts to define you in a limiting way.

I've realised that I am who I am and that is it. Like it or lump it. I'm not around to please anyone any more, and it's a huge relief.

The only power you have is the word no.

I don't like definitions, but if there is a definition of freedom, it would be when you have control over your reality to transform it, to change it, rather than having it imposed upon you. You can't really ask for more than.

The almost insoluble task is to let neither the power of others, nor our own powerlessness, stupefy us.

I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves.

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.

If you are confident in yourself and however you want yourself to be presented, and you're doing well and doing it because you want to do it and not because someone is pressuring you, then more power to you.

Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you.

Only the educated are free.

My definition of courage is never letting anyone define you.

People want more power over their own lives. That's not just true in Britain, it's true around the world.

I just felt like I had to create a life for myself where I was more independent.

But I found that disappointing people is a good thing, because disapproval is freedom.

But the whole point of liberation is that you get out. Restructure your life. Act by yourself.

Black Power is giving power to people who have not had power to determine their destiny.

Negative freedom is freedom from - freedom from oppression, whether it's a colonial power or addiction to alcohol oppressing you. You need to be freed from negative freedom. Positive freedom is freedom for, freedom to be. And that's what's routinely ignored today.

I love people that willfully defy what you're supposed to be and create their own definition of their selves.

Quitting law school was the most difficult decision of my life. But I felt this great relief that this is my life and I can do what I want with it.

I'm a big believer in everybody being themselves. If not doing a swimsuit calendar is yourself, that's great. But if doing a swimsuit calendar is yourself, then you should be able to do it. What I do outside the car adds to who I am and expresses a different side of me.

Give people the power to shape their lives to their liking, and their souls will take care of themselves.

The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free.