"Years ago I wanted to buy an apartment in New York City. I was a single female - I had gone through my divorce - I had three children, I was in show business and black. It was, like, impossible"

Diana Ross reveals the complexity and intersectionality of her struggles as she recounts her attempt to buy an apartment in New York City. She highlights multiple aspects of her identity, being a single woman, recently divorced, a mother of three, a member of the entertainment industry, and Black, that each present their own barriers, but which together compound to make her goal seem nearly unattainable. Her experience points directly to the intersecting forms of discrimination that exist within society, particularly in spaces that are supposed to represent advancement or success, such as property ownership in a major city.

Buying an apartment in New York would be challenging under the best of circumstances, but Ross underscores how additional factors amplify those challenges. As a single female, she may have faced skepticism about her financial stability in a society where lending and real estate industries have often favored married couples or men. Her recent divorce may have been seen as another risk factor, bringing into question her perceived ability to maintain long-term stability. Parenting three children alone could trigger concerns among sellers or boards about noise or suitability, feeding into longstanding biases against single mothers.

Being in show business likely added another layer of prejudice. Traditionally, artists have been regarded as less reliable or steady earners, despite their potential for substantial income. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, Ross points to her race. As a Black woman, she would almost certainly encounter systemic racism in the form of redlining, realtor bias, or restrictive co-op boards in New York, which have been well-documented in American history.

Her statement is a powerful acknowledgment that success in one arena does not erase the boundaries set by structural inequality. Despite her fame and accomplishments, Ross still faced what felt like an insurmountable wall, cobbled together from her gender, race, profession, and family status. Her experience is a testament to the ongoing challenges marginalized individuals confront even at the highest rungs of public achievement.