I merged those two words, black and feminist, because I was surrounded by black women who were very tough and and who always assumed they had to work and rear children and manage homes.

Quote by Toni Morrison

Topics: Toni Morrison Quotes

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

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

You need a whole community to raise a child. I have raised two children, alone.

You need a whole community to raise a child. I have raised two children, alone.

One of my kids was born in 1968. There were going to be political difficulties,...

One of my kids was born in 1968. There were going to be political difficulties,...

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...

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...

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...

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.

I always looked upon the acts of racist exclusion, or insult, as pitiable, from the...

I always looked upon the acts of racist exclusion, or insult, as pitiable, from the...

Black people have always been used as a buffer in this country between powers to...

Black people have always been used as a buffer in this country between powers to...

I'm not entangled in shaping my work according to other people's views of how I...

I'm not entangled in shaping my work according to other people's views of how I...

In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.

In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.

I don't think anybody cares about unwed mothers unless they're black or poor. The question...

I don't think anybody cares about unwed mothers unless they're black or poor. The question...

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,...

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,...

The body is ready to have babies. Nature wants it done then, when the body...

The body is ready to have babies. Nature wants it done then, when the body...

Somebody has to take responsibility for being a leader.

Somebody has to take responsibility for being a leader.

I remember a very important lesson that my father gave me when I was twelve...

I remember a very important lesson that my father gave me when I was twelve...

If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written...

If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written...

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...

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.