Roxane Gay's book "Bad Feminist" discusses the concept of respectability politics, which implies that marginalized groups can achieve acceptance by conforming to societal norms often associated with whiteness and privilege. This idea raises the question of whether striving for an ideal standard is genuinely beneficial or even desirable.

Gay encourages a reflection on the pursuit of perfection and traditional standards of respectability. Instead of seeking to meet these ideals, she suggests that embracing our humanity and imperfections may be a more authentic path to acceptance and self-identity. Ultimately, she challenges the notion that we must change ourselves to fit into a mold created by society.