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By the time I got to Harvard, I feel like I knew who I was, and my job there was to throw as much against the wall as possible, to see what would stick.

Baratunde Thurston

By the time I got to Harvard, I feel like I knew who I was, and my job there was to throw as much against the wall as possible, to see what would stick.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Jobs Sticks Wall
As I’ve submerged myself in news of the revolutions sweeping North Africa and the Middle East, I wanted desperately to feel part of what was going on. And then it hit me: This is what white people were doing to me after Obama was elected!
BARATUNDE THURSTON

East Middle People White
I work in comedy, journalism, media, and technology, many of which don’t have a lot of black faces in visible positions. I walk through Brooklyn with a surfboard. It’s fun to challenge and expand people’s expectations.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Fun Media Technology
I don’t know that I’m post-anything. I’d like to think maybe I’m post-bullshit.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Bullshit Posts Thinking
As far as hip-hop is concerned, I’m no expert and rarely think consciously about how I “represent” hip-hop.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Hip Hop Hips Thinking
Okay, well, if motion is the constant, how can I remain in motion?
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Constant Okay Wells
There are so many ways to be and to be black at the same time, but we’re finally seeing that full range expressed much more widely than before.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Black Range Way
New York has been the best gift, in that the city pushes me to so many next levels.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Country Cities Levels
My family life and early political life – being exposed to the news constantly, being enrolled in an Afrocentric education program, and doing the extracurriculars I did – played a huge role in me finding my path.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Path Political Role
You can call me namastunde or surfatunde. Either works.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Call Country Either People Work
Knowing that “me” is inextricably linked to blackness, [I try to enjoy] the process of expanding beyond the expected boundaries set by existing culture, norms and media.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Knowing Media Trying
I care about the diversity of the mindset of the people creating our future, and the windows through which we see it, and the tools we use to build it.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Creating Diversity People
2010 Foursquare Mayor Of The Year
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Bragging Google Years
There’s certainly a lot of noise in the hip-hop world now [that] I don’t pay active attention to, but to the extent that I represent some flavor of what’s happening in hip-hop – it’s subconscious.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Hip Hop Noise Pay
Remember something about attention. Yes, it’s possible to buy, grab, or even steal it. But it’s far better to earn it.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Attention Remember Something
Mostly I try to be the best example of me that I can be.
BARATUNDE THURSTON

Being Best Example Trying

By the time I got to Harvard, I feel like I knew who I was, and my job there was to throw as much against the wall as possible, to see what would stick.

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By the time I got to Harvard, I feel like I knew who I was, and my job there was to throw as much against the wall as possible, to see what would stick.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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