Janet Mock – Redefining Realness

Janet Mock:      You know, you bring up Phylicia Rashad, she was one of the most positive influences I ever had in my life watching television as Clair Huxtable. It was the first time in my young life that I saw an African-American family of influence and poise and grace and professionalism exist as a family with flaws and all these other things, but her specific portrait as Clair Huxtable inspired me so much.

I know that stories have a way to show us possibilities that may not match with the cruel or harsh realities that we exist in. So I can see how having that affirmation from her mother probably helped her. Just as  having the same kind of affirmation and acceptance from my parents helped me to instill a sense of self-assuredness and confidence in myself – despite not having monetary resources to help me along the way. So I think that you need a combination of both.

But there are some hurdles that one must climb, helps you build a sense of resolve and resourcefulness. But you also need kindness and you need validation too. I know what always helped was just knowing that there were other people who went through it. I think about Maya Angelou, who kind of gave me a blueprint to say that you can write about your life and you can do it poetically and also powerfully and inspire people. She challenged me to speak the truth, the uncomfortable truth.

Marlise:     In Redefining Realness, you talk about the transition to becoming a woman.  And you have a line there that says, “it wasn’t about becoming some better version of yourself or knockoff of some unattainable woman.  It was about revealing who you have always been.”  Now that is an extraordinary statement. Did you study ancient wisdom?