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Quote by Toni Morrison

“Anything I have ever learned of any consequence, I have learned from Black people. I have never been bored by any Black person, ever.”

Quote by Toni Morrison

Book:Conversations with Toni Morrison

Work

Conversations with Toni Morrison

Conversations with Toni Morrison is a compilation of in-depth discussions with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, offering readers a rare glimpse into her thoughts and experiences. The book delves into Morrison's creative journey, her approach to storytelling, and her views on race, identity, and the human condition. It is a treasure trove of wisdom and a testament to her profound impact on American literature. more

Author

Toni Morrison is an American novelist known for her profound portrayal of the history and culture of African Americans. Her works often explore issues of race, gender, and identity, with her most famous novels being 'The Bluest Eye' and 'Sula'. more

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“It's always seemed to me that black people's grace has been with what they do with language. In Lorrain, Ohio, when I was a child, I went to school with and heard the stories of Mexicans, Italians, and Greeks, and I listened. I remember their language, and a lot of it is marvelous. But when I think of things my mother or father or aunts used to say, it seems the most absolutely striking thing in the world.”

People Thinking World Children Has Beens Stories Seems School Remember Used Mother Father Language Black Grace Heard Greek Black People Marvelous Aunt Ohio

Author:Toni Morrison

“Two parents can't raise a child any more than one. You need a whole community - everybody - to raise a child. And the little nuclear family is a paradigm that just doesn't work. It doesn't work for white people or for black people. Why are we hanging onto it, I don't know. It isolates people into little units - people need a larger unit.”

People Knows Needs Children Littles Two Whole Parent Black Community White Family Raises Nuclear Working It Black People Units Paradigm Nuclear Families

Book:Conversations with Toni Morrison

Source: Conversations with Toni Morrison

“Sexist language, racist language, theistic language - all are typical of the policing languages of mastery, and cannot, do not, permit new knowledge or encourage the mutual exchange of ideas.”

Ideas Language Racism Racist Mutual Sexism Permit Mastery Typical Sexist New Knowledge

Author:Toni Morrison

“New York is the last true city.”

Lasts Cities New York

Author:Toni Morrison

“Our ancestors are an ever widening circle of hope.”

Roots Circles Ancestor

Author:Toni Morrison

“When you stiffen, you know that whatever you stiffen about is very important. The stuff is important, the fear itself is information.”

Knows Important Stuff Information

Author:Toni Morrison

“If writing is thinking and discovery and selection and order and meaning, it is also awe and reverence and mystery and magic.”

Ifs Thinking Writing Order Magic Mystery Discovery Awe Reverence Selection

Book:What Moves at the Margin: Selected Nonfiction

Source: What Moves at the Margin: Selected Nonfiction

“Race is the least reliable information you can have about someone. It's real information, but it tells you next to nothing.”

Real Next Race Information

Author:Toni Morrison

“One has to work very carefully with what is in between the words. What is not said. Which is measure, which is rhythm and so on. So, it is what you don't write that frequently gives what you do write its power.”

Giving Writing Said Rhythm

Author:Toni Morrison

“The language must be careful and must appear effortless. It must not sweat. It must suggest and be provocative at the same time.”

Language Careful Sweat Be Careful Provocative Effortless

Book:Conversations with Toni Morrison

Source: Conversations with Toni Morrison