“I really dislike it when people talk about "experimental," because any good writer is experimental.” Quote by John Edgar Wideman
“As a writer, you don't know what the hell you're doing. You're just doing it. You hope it works out well.” KnowsWellsHellWork OutDoing You Author:John Edgar Wideman
“Hell, I'm going to play pro basketball. I'm going to maybe be famous. I'm going to write books.” WritingBookPlayHellBasketball Author:John Edgar Wideman
“My grandfather had asked me many times whether I'd like to come to South Carolina with him. He wanted to introduce me to our people down there and I didn't want to go. In those days, the South was still a place where black kids were lynched. Something horrible could happen to you. I've had that feeling my whole life.” PeopleWantStillsWholeFeelingsHappensKidsWantedBlackSouthWhole LifeHorribleIntroducingGrandfatherMy GrandfatherCarolinaSouth Carolina Author:John Edgar Wideman
“Even in my adult years, when I heard a white person speaking in a Southern accent I was initially suspicious.” YearsPersonsWhiteHeardAdultsSouthernAccentsSuspiciousSouthern Accent Author:John Edgar Wideman
“I had a deep prejudice against the South. It's taken me many years to get over that, be more open and thoughtful.” YearsTakenPrejudiceSouthThoughtfulGet Over Author:John Edgar Wideman
“To be a survivor as an African American man - maybe any man - you have to be pretty tough. Or at least that's what we all understand.” MenToughAfrican AmericanSurvivor Author:John Edgar Wideman
“You have to be a minor superhero just to get to be a dignified man, and that's kind of exacerbated for men of color.” MenKindColorMinorsSuperhero Author:John Edgar Wideman
“My father combined many of the elements that were feared in the culture, but also he was a warm figure, a figure we needed. We depended on him to give us a little bit of strength and courage.” GivingLittlesCultureFatherBitsFiguresNeededElementsLittle BitWarm Author:John Edgar Wideman
“My mother loved my father. From my view, she let him get away with too much. It broke my heart to see him in an old people's home and stop being strong and lose his voice.” PeopleHeartHomeMotherFatherStrongVoiceLosesViewsToo MuchMy HeartBrokeGet AwayOld PeopleBroke My Heart Author:John Edgar Wideman
“That split is inside all Americans. There are contradictions inside all of us about color and race. We've learned to cover them up and live with them and pretend that deep cleavage is not there. We all bear that illness.” RaceColorBearsIllnessContradictionSplitsCleavage Author:John Edgar Wideman