Marlon Riggs

Filmmaker

Marlon Riggs was a filmmaker and activist known for his impactful works addressing race, sexuality, and identity, particularly through 'Tongues Untied.'

Born
January 1, 1957
Quotes
8
Rank
#5910

About Marlon Riggs

Marlon Riggs — Life and Legacy

Marlon Riggs was a groundbreaking filmmaker and activist whose work profoundly examined the intersections of race, sexuality, and identity. His notable film, 'Tongues Untied,' is a powerful exploration of black gay identity, challenging societal norms and stereotypes through personal narrative and artistic expression. Riggs's core philosophy centered on the idea that identity is multifaceted and often in conflict with societal expectations. In his quote, 'The only way to deal with oppression is to resist it,' he articulates a belief in the necessity of resistance as a means of self-affirmation and empowerment. Riggs's work not only reflected his lived experiences but also served as a catalyst for discussions around race and sexuality in America. His contributions continue to resonate, encouraging audiences to confront and challenge oppressive structures, making his insights and quotes relevant in contemporary discourse.

Quote collection

Marlon Riggs quotes

8 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Marlon Riggs Filmmaker
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"Silence kills the soul; it diminishes its possibilities to rise and fly and explore. Silence withers what makes you human. The soul shrinks, until it's nothing."

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Marlon Riggs Filmmaker
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"My struggle has allowed me to transcend that sense of shame and stigma identified with my being a Black gay man. Having come through the fire, they can't touch me."

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Marlon Riggs Filmmaker
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"When nobody speaks your name, or even knows it, you, knowing it, must be the first to speak it."

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Marlon Riggs Filmmaker
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"It is necessary to constantly remind ourselves that we are not an abomination."

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Marlon Riggs Filmmaker
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"As long as I have work then I'm not going to die, cause work is a living spirit in me - that which wants to connect with other people and pass on something to them which they can use in their own lives and grow from."

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Marlon Riggs Filmmaker
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"So much of my life has been about self-effacement, pretense, masquerading, concealment, and indirection."

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