Remembering Toni Morrison, An Iconic American Author | NYT News

The author Toni Morrison has died at the age of 88. She was the first African-American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature and best known for her nuanced discussion of race in America.
Read more about her life: nyti.ms/31pijTA
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[@sharonmassey2923]

Ms. Morrison's response to the white interviewer's question was so powerful, in part because it was so simply stated. If there's ever a course called Racism 101, those few seconds should be part of it.

[@AmandaFromWisconsin]

You mean the woman who's way more attractive than Toni Morrison is?

[@sharonmassey2923]

@@AmandaFromWisconsin I'm referring to the white woman interviewer whose ugliness you apparently share.

[@rasmus123re]

@@sharonmassey2923 The interview question was taken out of context. The interviewer was merely paraphrasing previous questions posed to Toni Morrison.

[@sharonmassey2923]

@@rasmus123re I just listened to it again. Nothing was taken out of context. And what previous questions are you referring to? Do you mean the interviewer heard others ask the same racist question, and then decided she would do the same thing? Or do you mean she heard others ask the same racist question, and she was simply behaving as an unthinking robot? Your comment is nonsense, from one end to the other.

[@Calbear707trees]

@@sharonmassey2923 Um. It goes both ways. A white author being asked when they’re going to write about a black person and visa versa. It could be argued that if the author didn’t write about white ppl, then according to the Democrats of today- that is racist.

[@pedroeiras9945]

There will never be another like her. What a voice (both figuratively and literately, since listening to her speak is as wonderfully soothing as reading her work is invigorating). Rest in Peace, Toni.

[@paulkelly7896]

That question asked by that reporter was unbelievable, how ignorant

[@Missmmmmmmmmmm]

she swallowed her question lol

[@mlt1357]

When I read ‘The Song of Solomon’ so many years ago my life was changed. I then tried to find everything else she wrote. RIP queen.

[@GoldenPenLitHaven]

Same. I wept on the floor. I remain devastated by her loss.

[@melaniehorton7728]

I love how she read that reporter...she was a great thinker and teacher....and racism was one of the subjects...taught to the ones who are racist and may not know or maybe they did know....🤔

[@passiveagressive4983]

She was so awesome in that moment wasn’t she😌☺️

[@melaniehorton7728]

@@passiveagressive4983 Totally I would LOVE to hear the reporters commentary on that!👏🏿

[@maedavis5934]

It was a moment to behold. The look on that reporter's face...was to die for....and be proud of Morrison.

[@carokat1111]

The reporter was Jana Wendt from Australia, at that time a highly-regarded journalist. This is a moment she must have regretted as it gets brought up time and time again. Morrison was right of course in what she said.

[@maedavis5934]

@@carokat1111 I love your reply. Knowledge is power. Thanks for 'empowering' us all.

[@leanita7549]

Rest in Peace. Those books, works of art, both changed and validated my perspectives, my outlook and my Life.

[@leanita7549]

@Yen Feng That's right; I read her BOOKS. Get it right. Get a Life and respect hers. Troll somewhere else. If you can.👍

[@mummoniq7950]

@sonoki82 God do not like ugly! So much venom in you... Sad!

[@maryseo.]

Sula is the 1st book I read in English (I'm a French-speaking woman), I was 20 and I cried because of the story and Ms Morrison's mastery of the English language...i was lucky to meet her in France in 2006.

[@tinadiggs7456]

Toni Morrison put that British lady in her place!!!!

[@cbwavy]

Right! I'm surprised they included that lol

[@paulkelly7896]

Tina Diggs she was from the UK, she was from Australia

[@suddendee]

Tina Diggs Seriously! 😒 Real stupid to challenge a wordsmith like TMorrison. What was she thinking???

[@kairuannewambui8456]

Matt Cheng an other racist planet needs to be rediscovered may God recreat her soul

[@PamelaTaylor]

wow

[@maggiegarrison9220]

After I read The Bluest Eye I devoured every other work I could find. She inspired me to think deeply and write slowly, to be sparing and exacting with words. She was so lovely and so powerful.

[@nlackey3358]

I know that as we live we must also die, but inspite of knowing this I am still saddened at such a beautiful voice and great loss to black ppl, as we move on and try to survive what has always been pushing and pressuring us down I hold my head up to know that they're were people like Ms. Morrison to carry and speak where most cannot 💔💖

[@endlesswave2685]

I literally tear uuuuup! Am saad really! I LEARNED A LOT from this AMAZING intelligent and beautiful Lady! SHE gave voice to the voiceless ones...........

[@johnwick-vo7ig]

If a white author died and we said 'a great loss to white people' you would consider that a racist comment!!!!

[@vi9763]

@@johnwick-vo7ig If an Irish author that wrote specifically about Irish history passed away, they would say it's a loss to the Irish people. Think outside your racist box for a moment

[@ncorpheus5605]

4:22

[@lornabeckford5419]

RIP Ms. Morrison. You and your Beautiful, Uplifting, Respectful words will be missed. God's Blessings⚘

[@PamelaTaylor]

god bless her

[@alemnehfantahun1371]

Rest In Peace beautiful queen 😔

[@iamDavidaRose]

Mama Toni is one of the most beautiful humans to ever grace us with her presence. Brilliant, charming, witty, direct, powerful, stunning, and full of grace. I am so proud. I am so grateful. Thank you mother Toni

[@iamDavidaRose]

sonoki82 Something is seriously wrong with you.

[@arthurdent4785]

@@iamDavidaRose don't even give trolls a second of your attention they don't deserve it... Rest in power and peace most beautiful angel

[@acuario1981]

I was a freshman in College, literally fresh off the boat from Venezuela; and there was a collective reading of Song of Solomon in all English classes and there would be discussion groups and events. Ms. Morrison's style reminded me very much of the Latin American Magical Realism perfected by Garcia Marquez, but hers was even more poignant because it spoke of race and racism in a way I had never experienced. It was in one of my College's event during this fateful month that they showed her interview with the British reporter sampled on this video at @0:58 and she literally took my breath away as if I had rediscover the very meaning of life...it was such an earth-shattering moment for me. She became my literary idol that very moment. Thank you Ms. Morrison for so much! My heart is still heavy for your loss. But you will, no doubt about it, live in every single word you ever wrote!

[@mummoniq7950]

@sonoki82be careful Toni Morrisson may pay you a visit to ask why you hate her so much to smear her after dead?

[@maedavis5934]

A literary giant...RIP Ms. Morrison.

[@berenicethegirl]

@sonoki82 is that a joke?

[@GratiaCountryman]

Heirofbooks She’s sniping at Mrs. Morrison in replies to every comment. I really think she’s racist.

[@maedavis5934]

@Yen Feng I quoted the Nobel Commission. And the last time you won the Nobel Prize? Next.

[@PamelaTaylor]

rip Ms Lady

[@suddendee]

Goodbye to my all time favorite author who challenged my thoughts & ideas at every sentence. Feb 18, 1931- August 5, 2019 🥀

[@PamelaTaylor]

god bless that lady

[@nosyrosie3716]

Thank you 😊 🙏 for sharing, Toni Morrison’s inspirational words .

[@madamcjda3rdproductions333]

Thank you Auntie Toni, for your clarity, the power in your voice, and the light you have shined on the world. So so much love for you till infinity

[@nb4thefall523]

REST IN BELOVED PEACE, indisputable QUEEN of the literary arts ~

[@starfishstop]

Rest in Peace... from Korea. I enjoyed reading Song of Solomon and Sula

[@davidblackwell6914]

Her literature will live on forever!

[@TheSonjaxfactor]

I'm so hurt by her loss!

[@49lucky]

The world is lost without the beauty of her writings. God be with you.

[@ThaFruityOne]

Love "The Bluest Eye" rest in peace Miss Morrison.

[@edumadzequansah]

Mum my eyes is filled with tears. Thanks for being.

[@lindap6006]

Thank you for the inspirational bio on a talented and inspirational American writer..

[@essex0926]

Saddened Rip beautiful black Queen

[@chrizzeypippinsundaezz4644]

I I am literally heartbroken upon the knowledge of the passing of Dr. Toni Morrison. She was indeed my favorite. I will forever attribute my ability to write and be free to Almighty G-d and through his example - Dr. Morrison. As I prepare to teach my Creative Writing class today - I too will tell my students that it's okay to be just "free". My favorite books were all written by Dr. Morrison. The one I recalled the most was 'The Song of Solomon" . . . Every single page was pure and utter brilliance. When I publish my book next year, and I will - if I am compared to this incredible woman - my gratitude would truly explode. So . . . Excuse me as I weep. The number of my tears will never be calculated. G-d bless Dr. Morrison alway. She was indeed a GOOD gift🌹

[@jackkelly1462]

Rest in power Toni. You will be missed so much. You’re impact on this world will be ever lasting. ❤️❤️

[@jackkelly1462]

What she did totally revolutionized American literature and has fundamentally impacted black writing - she will absolutely be remembered forever

[@jackkelly1462]

sonoki82 How did she inflict harm?

[@mummoniq7950]

​@Yen Feng All that venom inside will make you sick, if you aren´t already - God do not like ugly!

[@mummoniq7950]

@sonoki82 All that venom inside will make you sick, if you aren´t already - God do not like ugly!

[@mummoniq7950]

@@jackkelly1462 Don´t even ask, they are demons, trolling every loving comments about Toni Morrisson with evil smear - you can even smell the sulfur from their venom.

[@DiegesellschafterinCh]

RIP and THANKS!

[@passiveagressive4983]

Would we have known about Margaret Garner if there was no Toni Morrison? Thank God there was.

[@NappyChile]

Beloved rest in grace .... ❤🖤💚

[@Nophotofound]

what a beautiful woman. im stunned.

[@belamoure]

Serenity, strength and an abundance of heart and soul that stupefies, charms and confounds. R.I.P.

[@Vaibhav360amazing]

Fox News disabled the comments of her video. I wonder why

[@lornabeckford5419]

The truth hurt worse than a toothache 😇 Blessings!

[@TajimaMunenori]

They gave her segment less than a minute! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKnJoXyiabh-raM

[@deskryptic]

Sad.

[@goddessnadiya]

0:56 she was so classy, so insightful and brilliant

[@MissCaitlin93]

Erm, no.

[@kiabiaddison]

Rest In Power my beautiful Toni 😢😔

[@GratiaCountryman]

sonoki82 You’re talking about yourself.

[@kiabiaddison]

sonoki82 why are you so hateful? This isn’t a joke. Toni Morrison has changed the literary community with her powerful books so how dare you even open your mouth and say such hateful things?

[@PamelaTaylor]

god bless the family

[@MissCaitlin93]

@@PamelaTaylor srsly if god is blessing anyone it ain't gonn be that family.

[@PamelaTaylor]

any loss just like all that killing over the weekend I would say for due to loss

[@CommanderShamil]

She reminds me of Oracle in the Matrix.

[@kamnasingh1774]

Shamil Sharudin same same same

Extremely Wise woman. Who has now joined the ancestors !

[@inspirationalpostbyleverso6263]

Beautiful togetherness as a INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN.

[@curtiswfranks]

Thank you, Ms. Morrison. I cherish your writing. 😢💔

[@PamelaTaylor]

its so beautiful

[@maryeliason1504]

I will miss her forever & re read all of her books that are on my shelf, again. I loved you Chloe Woffard.

[@lovely-mk4rt]

Lovely lady. Much gratitude for all your words. 🕊

[@KJ-df9oz]

Thank you Mrs. Morrison for checking that recessive garbage for her absolute disrespect. Rest well Queen.

[@glo2043]

I'm glad Toni was NOT like you!! She walked and spoke in love. You should check your own heart.

[@Missmmmmmmmmmm]

Her work is simply awesome

[@hayleyanna2625]

A brilliant writer. A great human being. She was truly wise. ❤️

[@jacobhero1577]

Aight time to go cry for a bit brb

[@sharena6]

grateful for her❤

[@cathymckendrick5680]

RIP

[@Tarasyoutube]

Happy Birthday, Ms. Morrison

[@mzgemini0006]

My shero❤❤

[@SueLyons1]

4:15 'it's a way of thinking; it's pure knowledge'

[@stefanol9272]

Strong woman

[@PamelaTaylor]

just brilliant

[@seekingpathways1045]

I will miss u morrison. When i was younger i did not understand beloved but when i got older i understood, and it is one of the greatest love stories told. Paradise and poached eggs....LoL thank you

[@sonam2290]

True when she says i m trying to write less which means more. It really reflects in her works. 👀

[@rezmems]

In times like these I wish Toni Morrison was here to offer up some advice on racism Such a beautiful soul❤️

[@barnabaswannabe4652]

A grand, beautiful beam of light

[@hawkeye6626]

RIP Toni Morrison

[@kbootyjenny]

wow. just wow

[@cristianhoward64]

Thank you

[@HapticGamerHD]

Bless her soul.

[@MissCaitlin93]

she had no soul.

[@HapticGamerHD]

@@MissCaitlin93 and still would be a better human being than you

[@41yearoldnewdriver]

Rest in peace Miss Morrison! I admire you!

[@adamspful]

beloved.

[@PamelaTaylor]

beloved

[@thenewyorkcitizen]

Mainstream media barely acknowledged this brilliant womans passing and yet the internet was on fire with someone calling himself Nipsey Hustle, whom I had NEVER heard of UNTIL he died.

[@thenewyorkcitizen]

@orionh3000 google her and get woke or simply stay enslaved and asleep.

[@mummoniq7950]

@orionh3000find her audio books if reading is a problem, you will not regret it...

[@duyguk.4097]

I love her...

[@PamelaTaylor]

I love her as well

[@piyaligoswami4205]

You are the inspiration 🥰

[@danishamcclendon]

Last year I was introduced to her by "The Bluest Eye" and it's a meticulous sight into African American society in the late 30s-40s. Now I look forward to reading her other work. Also, if you avidly read her work could you comment your favorite of hers. Thank you!

[@setclearboundaries9184]

Rest In Peace Beloved

[@simonesills6388]

i love how she is bold

[@lynnehanses8474]

RIP.

[@nancyking7739]

What a wonderful woman??? Right,.,,

[@shellyg3319]

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 miss you already

[@nancyking7739]

Iconic!!

[@rabia700]

she is a legend .

[@cardion411]

The loss of a legend. Rest in Peace, Queen.

[@queercafe9633]

Toni Morrison is a true national treasure. An amazing writer. So wise, eloquent, profound, and poignant. She has left a remarkable legacy. We will miss her very much. www.queercafe.net

[@maxinewest1326]

Interesting interview,

[@marauderinchief6858]

The bluest eye is her best work ; better than SOS and Beloved. It's a transcendent story told in a manner that penetrates acutely , has one's senses writhing with discomfort and by the time you're through, there's no disambiguation left , the reader covenants a visceral accord with the author and understanding attains.

[@marauderinchief6858]

@sonoki82 Analogy, allegory, figure of speech, trope, emblem......rhetoric...synedoche.. accentuation , attenuation.... ,🔔🔔🔔🔔 Education is important . Go get some.

[@mummoniq7950]

@sonoki82 All that venom inside will make you sick, if you aren´t already - God do not like ugly!

[@poppopartist3870]

SULA Appropriately, Shadrack is the first major character to be introduced in the novel. He is Sula's ancestral presence - a representation of an ancestral spirit, a husband, a father, a provider dispensed by the gods to "always" be there for the displaced Sula. Theirs was a spiritual kinship - metaphorically, a marriage of traditional West African water spirit/priest to a water priestess, both oracles of a river god. Shadrack's divine nature results from his state of unconsciousness as a victim of shell-shock during World War I. In traditional West African culture when one had lain unconscious for many days, people believed that that person's spirit left the physical body and entered the ancestral world where he or she became an active participant. Physically surviving the state of unconsciousness bestowed no insanity upon the person - no matter how eccentric or erratic the behavior following the onset. On the contrary, unconsciousness bestowed a specialness and a spirituality, since the unconscious person had communed directly with the ancestral spirits.

[@HM-mw7cg]

One thing that perplexes me about Morrison (as far as the information I can find about her life), is that she never came to Africa. Why? She spoke so much about African Americans' African heritage, but she never came to see our continent for herself.

[@KIRKSHINTATURNIPSEED]

Because she is african american not african Her identity is in america It would have been nice for her to see where her ancestors came from but her identity is not rooted in Africa She is a black American

[@annetteresto7587]

MY SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AMEN HALLELUJAH 🤗👣💒😃🙂🙇‍♀️😁🤲🙆‍♀️🙋‍♀️👩😀😊👐👏☺😄PRAISE HIM 🤗💒LOVE YOU GUYS

[@alltimeministrychurchjebak60]

Pray for Jammu and Kashmir people very argent

[@aktarzaman4013]

also for Hong Kong..they both deserve freedom.

[@jacquelineshaw5286]

❤️

[@jennidallas]

“Less means more” ✍🏼🧠

[@maxhill9254]

thx

[@johndeagle4389]

What was Morrison's opinion of William Ellison?

[@johndeagle4389]

@orionh3000 William Ellison was from South Carolina.

[@lov3zone32]

G-d Bless this Black Royal

[@ivettevazquez6294]

I feel so lucky to feel exactly as Toni Morrison felt about White People! Miss her smile so much!

[@AmandaFromWisconsin]

I'm very sorry you feel that way.

[@nourboulifa8531]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Vera511]

"Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises Faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life; and everyone that is living and exercises Faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25, 26) Rest in Peace Toni.

[@beek2930]

Its official we will never know the race of either characters in Recitatif

[@tanyaellis905]

❤️🖤💚

[@keithbaucum7156]

What? No not her. She lived a long life which is good.

[@jeliarra]

So ashamed of myself for not having knowing this woman until today via Alexa's question of the day. Noble Prize winner and I no clue. SHAME! Off to buy some books.

[@tuffgonggbUNCTION]

RiZE iNi PARADiZiO .... SOULJAH ,JAHBLESS....

[@globule128]

Hello

[@stephdrake2521]

We miss you Ms. Morrison… we really do … sleep well and I hope some day your positive view of the world will come true .. especially for African Americans. White supremacy is a global system of hate based on skin color and that one race ( white ) is better than the other. It’s a lie and so many white Americans have been indoctrinated to hate anyone who doesn’t look like them. It’s almost impossible to undo indoctrination. African Americans have never been the problem. We have always been the solution ….. I truly hope this is a test world to see who was paying attention and to see who hated others. The majority of Everyone has a mind and a will to find the truth.

[@nazi]

9 people disliked this😐

[@GratiaCountryman]

Yen Feng What hellhole did you crawl from?

[@mummoniq7950]

@Yen Feng God do not like ugly!

[@gooner_49]

1.:15 🥺🔥👌

[@Romans6.1-2]

Jesus Christ saves FROM sin. * Romans 3: 23 * all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; * Hebrews 9: 27 * And as it IS appointed unto men once to die, but after this the JUDGEMENT * Isaiah 64: 6 * But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. * Revelation 21: 8 * But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. * Romans 5: 8 * But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. * John 3: 16 * For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. * John 14: 6 * Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. * Romans 10: 9-10. * That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. * For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. * Jesus said John 5: 24 * Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. * 1John 5: 10-13 * He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. * And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. * He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. * These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. * Ephesians 2: 8-9 * For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: * Not of works, lest any man should boast. * Romans 8: 1 * There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. * 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 * For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; * And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: * 2 Corinthians 5: 21 * For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him * Repent, trust Jesus, & live Holy Actswayevangelism.com

[@michailkinde]

I notice that Obama read some of her books 📚