Jessica Hagedorn Quotes

A collection of quotes by Jessica Hagedorn.

Jessica Hagedorn is a Filipino-American author, playwright, and poet. Born on June 29, 1949, in Manila, Philippines, she moved to the United States in her teens and currently resides in New York City. Hagedorn's work is deeply influenced by her multicultural background and explores themes of identity, immigration, and the intersection of cultures.

She gained recognition with her debut novel, "Dogeaters," which was published in 1990. The book received critical acclaim and was nominated for a National Book Award. Hagedorn's writing style often incorporates a combination of English, Tagalog, and street slang, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of the Philippines.

Throughout her career, Jessica Hagedorn has written several other novels, including "The Gangster of Love" (1996) and "Dream Jungle" (2003). She is also known for her involvement in the theater world, with her play "Dogeaters" being staged in multiple productions.

In addition to her literary accomplishments, Hagedorn is a passionate advocate for social justice. She has used her platform to highlight the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly those of immigrants and people of color. Through her writing and activism, Jessica Hagedorn continues to make significant contributions to the literary world and beyond.

I'm an underdog person, so I align myself with those who see

I'm an underdog person, so I align myself with those who seem to be not considered valuable in polite society.

Jessica Hagedorn


My identity is linked to my grandmother, who's pure Filipino

My identity is linked to my grandmother, who's pure Filipino, as pure as you can probably get. And that shaped my imagination. So that's how I identify.

Jessica Hagedorn

Imagination

We didn't have television until I was about eight years old,

We didn't have television until I was about eight years old, so it was either the movies or radio. A lot of radio drama. That was our television, you know. We had to use our imagination. So it was really those two things, and the comics, that I immersed myself in as a child.

Jessica Hagedorn

Imagination