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Remembering Toni Morrison Through Her Words

The first time I was introduced to Toni Morrison’s work was when I was in high school, junior English class.

I also studied Morrison’s novels when I was in graduate school. Sula is still one of my favorite novel hers. I still keep a copy of The Bluest Eye, another great novel by Toni Morrison, on my bookshelf.

On Morrison’s passing, President Obama said:

“Toni Morrison was a national treasure. Her writing was not just beautiful but meaningful—a challenge to our conscience and a call to greater empathy. She was as good a storyteller, as captivating, in person as she was on the page. And so even as Michelle and I mourn her loss and send our warmest sympathies to her family and friends, we know that her stories—that our stories—will always be with us, and with those who come after, and on and on, for all time.

Sending my love and warm thoughts to all who loved Toni Morrison and who are grieving. xoxo

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”  ― Toni Morrison

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.” — Toni Morrison

“You don’t have to love me but you damn well have to respect me.” 
― Toni Morrison, God Help the Child

“As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.” — Toni Morrison

“You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” 
― Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon

“Oppressive language does more than represent violence; it is violence; does more than represent the limits of knowledge; it limits knowledge.” 
― Toni Morrison

“Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be.” 
― Toni Morrison, Beloved

“If you surrendered to the air, you could ride it.” — Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon

“The function of freedom is to free someone else.” 
― Toni Morrison

“A writer’s life and work are not a gift to mankind; they are its necessity.” — Toni Morrison

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