I always looked upon the acts of racist exclusion, or insult, as pitiable, from the other person. I never absorbed that. I always thought that there was something deficient about such people.

Quote by Toni Morrison

Topics: Toni Morrison Quotes

For a long time I was convinced that the conflict between Jewish people and black...

For a long time I was convinced that the conflict between Jewish people and black...

There is really nothing more to say-except why. But since why is difficult to handle,...

There is really nothing more to say-except why. But since why is difficult to handle,...

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet,...

If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet,...

We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may...

We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may...

Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.

Freeing yourself was one thing; claiming ownership of that freed self was another.

Women's rights is not only an abstraction, a cause; it is also a personal affair....

Women's rights is not only an abstraction, a cause; it is also a personal affair....

I get angry about things, then go on and work.

I get angry about things, then go on and work.

Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.

Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.

I don't think a female running a house is a problem, a broken family. It's...

I don't think a female running a house is a problem, a broken family. It's...

It's been mentioned or suggested that Paradise will not be well studied, because it's about...

It's been mentioned or suggested that Paradise will not be well studied, because it's about...

Black boys became criminalized. I was in constant dread for their lives, because they were...

Black boys became criminalized. I was in constant dread for their lives, because they were...

Some Native American writers enjoy being called Native American writers.

Some Native American writers enjoy being called Native American writers.

I'm always annoyed about why black people have to bear the brunt of everybody else's...

I'm always annoyed about why black people have to bear the brunt of everybody else's...

Black people are victims of an enormous amount of violence. None of those things can...

Black people are victims of an enormous amount of violence. None of those things can...

A lot of black people believe that Jews in this country have become white. They...

A lot of black people believe that Jews in this country have become white. They...

When there is pain, there are no words. All pain is the same.

When there is pain, there are no words. All pain is the same.

All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where...

All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where...

Schools must stop being holding pens to keep energetic young people off the job market...

Schools must stop being holding pens to keep energetic young people off the job market...

Everything I've ever done, in the writing world, has been to expand articulation, rather than...

Everything I've ever done, in the writing world, has been to expand articulation, rather than...

At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph,...

At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph,...