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Quote by Nikki Giovanni

“The only way you can grow is to let yourself make mistakes and create contradictions. As we learn new things, some of our old attitudes will change.”

Quote by Nikki Giovanni

Author

Nikki Giovanni is an American poet, writer, and activist, born on June 7, 1943. She is renowned for her poignant and evocative poetry that frequently tackles social and political issues. Giovanni's writing has had a profound impact on the African American literary community and beyond, earning her numerous awards and accolades for her literary contributions. more

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“Black Americans should be given credit for finding probably the perfect weapon; the weapon of the song. And that song continues. Most holocausts don't, so they have this bitterness left over. The phenomenon of the world, as far as Black Americans are considered, is that we are not a bitter people.”

People World Should Song Left Given Black Perfect Findings Weapons Credit Bitter Phenomenon Bitterness Holocaust Bitter People

Author:Nikki Giovanni

“You have to use what you have in order to get what you need and the people can not be rich unless somebody is rich. The Hip-Hop generation has carried more people with it than any other enterprise Black Americans have had.”

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Author:Nikki Giovanni

“Poems don't have to rhyme... Poems are about beauty and emotion; in other words poems are about feelings.”

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Author:Nikki Giovanni

“If you are sitting there waiting for someone to tell you how wonderful you are, you'll never get anything done. Women need to get over being women. I'm tired of that socialization of women; that we are always supposed to be sitting around pleasing somebody.”

Ifs Needs Done Waiting Wonderful Sitting Tired Supposed To Be Get Over Being A Woman I'm Tired Sitting Around Socialization

Author:Nikki Giovanni

“[To write poems] I think it's important to do research, and research mostly is going to come from books, so all of your reading is potentially helpful to your poetry.”

Thinking Writing Important Book Reading Research Helpful

Author:Nikki Giovanni

“I think life is cotton candy on a rainy day. For those who grew up with cotton candy the old-fashioned way, it is very delicate. Pre-made cotton candy that has preservatives is not nearly as good or true. True cotton candy is sugar, color, and air and it melts very quickly. That was the metaphor - it can't be preserved, it can't be put aside, it can't be banked. It has to be experienced, like life.”

Thinking Way Made Life Is Air Color Grew Grew Up Metaphor Sugar Delicate Old Fashioned Candy Cotton Rainy Rainy Day Cotton Candy

Author:Nikki Giovanni

“[To become a poet] The most important thing is to pay attention. The next would probably be to read; it's so important to pay attention. It keeps you from being bored, and I might add it keeps you from being boorish.”

Important Might Next Pay Attention Poet Important Things Add Pay Attention Bored Being Bored

Author:Nikki Giovanni

“Be kind to everybody, be grateful, say thank you everyday. My parents taught me well.”

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“Live by the creed that a strong work ethic, playing by the rules, and doing things the right way will bring about opportunities for success and, ultimately, happiness.”

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Author:Nick Saban

“Be all you can be in whatever you choose to do. The sky is the limit, so go for it. And do not create any self-imposed limitations.”

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Author:Nick Saban