To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I wanted to just be like everyone else, now I don't 'cause that's boring.

-- Jorja Smith

Individuality: the quality or character of a person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.

-- Caroline McHugh

More than I can remember, women in particular made comments about being brave, only because they couldn't imagine their heads without hair.

-- Caroline McHugh

Bravery = doing what you can't imagine doing or being what you can't imagine being

Doing what you can't imagine doing or being what you can't imagine being => goals that your subconscious mind cares about

ART; A 60's Free Spirit Whose Main Subject Was Herself

http://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/05/arts/art-a-60-s-free-spirit-whose-main-subject-was-herself.html

-- New York Times

Discovered via a Google search with "yayoi kusama individualist"

Yayoi Kusama

https://www.collectorsagenda.com/en/reviews/yayoi-kusama

-- Collectors Agenda

Discovered via a Google search with "yayoi kusama individualist"

Sia Furler Interview : Reveals Why She Hides Her Face, New Album, Love Life & More

Yayoi Kusama

http://time.com/4299687/yayoi-kusama-2016-time-100/

-- TIME

Found this article in TIME 100 for 2016.

How do we bring more and more people into opportunity and success and feeling hopeful about their lives ... I said as much as we've done with laws and ending "don't ask don't tell" etc., changing hearts and minds, I don't think anybody's been more influential than you on that. I really mean so. Your courage and you're just really likable and so you being willing to claim who you were then suddenly empowers other people and then suddenly it's your brother, it's your uncle, it's your best friend, it's your co-workers and then attitudes shift and the laws followed but it started with folks like you.

-- Barack Obama

This quote was taken from President Obama's interview on Ellen. It is part of his response to Ellen after she thanked him for advocating for LGBT Americans.

That's what I've always been fighting for - making sure that people love themselves for who they are, and we don't pick on people because we're uncomfortable with ourselves, or who they are. That's been my message, from when I was young to now. There are lots of young girls out there who are struggling with their identities... afraid of being discriminated against or teased. I take risks and use my imagination so that other people will feel free and take risks. That's my hope.

-- Janelle Monae

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is clear that she makes her artistic decisions to give others courage to break out of the norm. She says: "That's what I've always been fighting for - making sure that people love themselves for who they are, and we don't pick on people because we're uncomfortable with ourselves, or who they are. That's been my message, from when I was young to now. There are lots of young girls out there who are struggling with their identities… afraid of being discriminated against or teased. I take risks and use my imagination so that other people will feel free and take risks. That's my hope."

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is clear that she makes her artistic decisions to give others courage to break out of the norm.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae. The fact that she makes the clarity an important aspect of her art is commendable.

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves. The word "weirdo" shows up in many of her songs. In "Faster:" Am I a freak? Or just another little weirdo? Call me weak, or better yet – you can call me your hero, baby. It also comes up in her history; when she was 12, she was in a band called The Weirdoz.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves. The word "weirdo" shows up in many of her songs.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Monae is working with her collective, the Wondaland Arts Society, to carve out a space for us all to be brave enough to be ourselves.

-- io9

Excerpt from an article on Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae turns rhythm and blues into science fiction

http://io9.gizmodo.com/5592174/janelle-monae-turns-rhythm-and-blues-into-science-fiction

-- io9

Colin Kaepernick is doing what heroes do

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/9/5/12795542/colin-kaepernick-heroes-national-anthem-captain-america-nfl

-- SB Nation

Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem of 'a country that oppresses black people and people of color'

http://www.sbnation.com/2016/8/27/12670584/nfl-colin-kaepernick-national-anthem

-- SB Nation

This is not something that I am going to run by anybody. I am not looking for approval. I have to stand up for people that are oppressed. ... If they take football away, my endorsements from me, I know that I stood up for what is right.

-- Colin Kaepernick

Excerpt from the article below:

Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem of 'a country that oppresses black people and people of color'

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color," Colin Kaepernick told NFL.com "To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder."

Sarah Robles and Michelle Carter redefine 'normal' and hope young girls everywhere are listening

http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-sp-oly-robles-plaschke-20160815-snap-story.html

-- Los Angeles Times