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

Quote by Toni Morrison

Topics: Toni Morrison Quotes

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,...

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,...

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...

Everybody gets everything handed to them. The rich inherit it. I don't mean just inheritance...

Everybody gets everything handed to them. The rich inherit it. I don't mean just inheritance...

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,...

Some Native American writers enjoy being called Native American writers.

Some Native American writers enjoy being called Native American writers.

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...

I think some aspects of writing can be taught. Obviously, you can't teach vision or...

I think some aspects of writing can be taught. Obviously, you can't teach vision or...

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.

In becoming an American, from Europe, what one has in common with that other immigrant...

In becoming an American, from Europe, what one has in common with that other immigrant...

Too much tail. All that jewelry weighs it down. Like vanity. Can't nobody fly with...

Too much tail. All that jewelry weighs it down. Like vanity. Can't nobody fly with...

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...

The loneliest woman in the world is the woman without a close woman friend.

The loneliest woman in the world is the woman without a close woman friend.

I would solve a lot of literary problems just thinking about a character in the...

I would solve a lot of literary problems just thinking about a character in the...

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...

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...

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.

Somebody has to take responsibility for being a leader.

Somebody has to take responsibility for being a leader.

Make a difference about something other than yourselves.

Make a difference about something other than yourselves.

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.