"I'm not a minister, I'm not a philosopher, I'm not a politician, I'm in another category"
- Sun Ra
About this Quote
Sun Ra's quote is a declaration of his special identity and his refusal to be categorized. He is declining the labels of minister, philosopher, and politician, and rather declaring his own identity. This might be analyzed as a statement of self-determination and a rejection to be defined by standard roles. Sun Ra is asserting his own individuality and his right to be viewed as a specific, instead of an agent of any particular group. He is also emphasizing the value of being real to oneself and not permitting oneself to be specified by external expectations. Sun Ra's quote is an effective pointer that all of us have the right to specify ourselves and to be seen as people, rather than as agents of any specific group.
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