Toni Morrison on language, evil and 'the white gaze'

Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison, M.A. '55, returned to Cornell March 7, 2013 for a conversation about literature, politics and, especially, language. She answered questions posed to her by longtime friend and colleague Claudia Brodsky, a professor of comparative literature at Princeton University.

[@marlene5494]

It’s 2024 now and our beloved has sadly transitioned. I feel honored to have lived in the same time to experience her art and contributions to the world. RIP Ms Morrison 💔

[@chiphowell4063]

It's always amazing and so incredibly calming just to hear her talk and explore and make little aside comments. Her conversations are as interesting and illuminating as her novels. She remains, even after passing, as one of the towering, compassionate intellects of our age.

[@justasimplesomeone]

Yep! Your comment deserves more than a thumbs up like! Absolutely astonishing woman. I wholeheartedly agree with every word you say and I can’t add. Just one thing - I hope you have listened to some more interview things - seems like you have. I can’t give links as it will move me off writing this, which is annoying as I want to recommend a short one that impressed me.

[@trisha7029]

To bad she isn't up in the sky with Jesus ain't it tho

[@missalmond]

Well said!

[@neecywatson8250]

@@trisha7029what does that mean?

[@salomesandroshvili5364]

compassionate intellect is good assessment

[@JamesBaldwin-o6e]

Toni Morrison is the greatest living novelist, the most powerful writer of substance since Baldwin. Period. No racist comment will erase that fact.

[@solemandd67]

Jeremy Williams It shouldn't baffle you. Those of us who have been awake know Amerikkka was founded and continues to operate on racism and murder.

[@familyfirst2649]

Indeed she is Jeremy, she will always be.

[@JamesBaldwin-o6e]

@Jamel West styron is YOUR standard. But there r reasons as to y no white writer could ever match up to a Baldwin or a Morrison. I'm just not interested in explaining it anymore.

[@JamesBaldwin-o6e]

@Michael Zhu lol and Faulkner isn't writing about race!?!? Even Joyce at some point however unintentional or inadvertent is address concerns of race. I would argue that all American writing is about race and power whether the (white) writer knows it or not (including Didion and Steinbecks Travels With Charlie. Even cannery row is about race). So I'm not sure what you mean sir. However you want to avoid is just typical of non blacks. But this is exactly y no white american writer could ever be the greatest American writer. But are gonna see it differently and I understand why.

[@LH-mn3cc]

lol your opinions don't do anything about her Nobel Prize and the fact that she's considered the last of the great American classic writers.

[@alindley3128]

This is one of the treasures of youtube, that concerts and lectures like this are here. Morrison was my late mum's favorite author. When my mum read Morrison's books, she remembered who she really was and what she really believed---other times as she aged , maybe not so much sometimes... Now I am trying to read Beloved for a church based book club--a bit of a grim first chapter, wasn't it? But I can hear the Nobel Prize winning author SPEAK about her life and work and ideas....as can anyone, thanks to this golden bit of the internet. Great literature can be for anyone, belongs to everyone.

[@sandraperkins203]

I totally agree I'm so glad I found this. KZbin has some rare jewels.

[@willfeen]

agreed. Very well said. The other great treasures of KZbin, to me, that remind us who we are and what we believe, are the complete recorded Live concerts of artists such as Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker. I compare their greatest work to Toni Morrison’s

[@valeriehudson7276]

Thank you for making this available to others off campus - the human experience is enriched by sharing such discussions.

[@tinamouzone4155]

I love her so much. She’s like an auntie. So soft and clear and wise. The mental clarity mixed with that heavenly tone of voice is so familiar.

[@Jester.D.Joker5612]

Yo I actually 100 % with u , she feels like an auntie 2 me . I'm Tongan and NONE of my aunties will probably never have her level of intellect & wisdom , or speak in such eloquent and articulate way .

[@davidharmon2058]

I love listening to Toni Morrison she is so intellectual, inspiring and eloquent truly a phenomenal writer. :)

[@dorinc6033]

If she was an intellectual, half of the US was too. She was by no means an intellectual; if you came here to listen to an intellectual, it's the wrong writer. However, she was interesting and an effective communicator. The true respect is to like people for who they truly are.

[@aldapellegrino6712]

@David Harmon---I appreciate anyone who has the courage to venture writing a novel. Kudos!! However, I am disgusted by anyone who purports to be well-learned yet be so grammatically ignorant. Her grammar sucks, in plain slang. For example: she said her child 'spit' up all over her manuscript. Ms Morrison should know better; that is, the past tense of "spit" is "spat"----I caught so many more grammar mistakes; such as, the butchering of subjects, verbs, pronouns and adverbs. No respect for agreement between these parts of speech. Yes, it is admirable how this author has the talent to "turn" a word, per se. But, grammar should be praised and used correctly, especially from one whose vivid imagination is a God-given gift. It is no wonder that our youth's mastering of the English language is going down the tubes.

[@shanariahwilliams-simpson4908]

@@aldapellegrino6712 Thousands of esteemed writers as well as novelists actually have a series of grammatical errors; in ELA, you are taught how to spell. Prose, analysation, comprehension, pronouns, prefixes and suffixes not so much grammar. If so it is you and I. Stephen King, Alan Moore, Steinbeck, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Edgar Allan Poe, James Baldwin, and etcetera have all had several grammatical errors; allegedly on purpose. As far as blacks we were stolen from our own land and spoke African, we were forced to learn the "correct" language. Gullah or Gueechee, and Zulu are still stereotypically intact African dialect; while Haitians speak Spanish or French. Which is not a surprise due to the fact -- our oppressors were of European decent (Latin, French, and Greek.) The way the lovely Toni Morrison's characters are accurate and reflect the times; even Shakespeare and Chaucer shortened words to save up space, both of them known as fathers of this so called language. It has to do with accents, ethnicity, and culture; regarding language which why translation is important. Let's not forget that English is practically based on other cultural language being mispronounced; for example coca, Kumbaya, chocolate, fudge and many more. Also this is an old video, it is ill to speak of the dead; as far as why children can't read school has to do with the school system. Systematic racism for black male students; statistics stating to this day most poor people in prison black or white and male end up in prison because of their third grade reading level. Schools are more concerned about test scores and not teaching anymore; English and Math however are the common core subjects students most know to operate in the real world. In conclusion a novelist literally means a writer of novels; not a grammarian, although writers can be grammarians the most prestigious are not.

[@user-ou5ls2xc7v]

@@aldapellegrino6712 Well, we sure started strong here. I think you’re missing the point of her writing if the linchpin of your disgust is grammar, especially given some of her works, like Beloved, are written with a stream-of-consciousness approach that is more purposed towards invoking the natural, flawed string of thoughts people have, as opposed to standardized English. She spoke of a people-one that has history with being killed in the pursuit of education, might I add-its struggles, and its healing. If she were more bent out of shape over spit versus spat, she’d have become a high school teacher. We’d have a lot less integrity and color in a world like that, though.

[@Guyana531]

You are a gift that I will cherish all my life - thank you for opening my mind and extending my knowledge - the narrative is so compelling and spellbound. Sad it may be but that sadness is life and truth that should not be swept under the carpet or thrown in the garbage bin. I may not be from America but the strand is part of all people of colour. I am blessed to know of this great writer and novelist. Rest in Peace Toni - you will always be in the light of life and never be forgotten.

[@meera8036]

Toni Morrison was the biggest literary genius in the history of America I can’t get enough of her

[@hectormanuel9793]

Far from it! She was a great voice for her people but she's among 2 dozen of great writers in the U.S. Half her novels were nowhere as good as the other half! Her problem was not openly recognizing the big faults of the well to do blacks and the deep racism within the black community for other people they considered inferior to them.

[@iam.shavonne]

By far one of my favorite interviews of Toni Morrison online! Claudia Brodsky engaged her in such an amazing way!

[@lizgichora6472]

Excellent! A great interview capturing truth and honesty of a time. " Good is good on itself, it doesn't need anything, it is hard work but it is the best thing to learn whilst Evil is vivid. " Thank you Toni Morrison.

[@iwasborntobefly]

toni starts talking at about 20:10. those intros were a bit much.

[@ysabarro333]

iwasborntobefly thank you!

[@mishthemaverick8607]

iwasborntobefly typical university academics, in love with the sound of their own voices😤

[@a.h.5296]

The intro is SO amazing though

[@ansuajo]

I liked the context provided by the intros

[@billyalarie929]

hero(ine). thank you for your service.

[@SheenaOMurray]

I am so enamored by her. My goodness, what a brilliant woman.

[@LynetteA68]

The MOST brilliant of brilliant!! There’s never been anyone like her & there never will be again!! She was one of a kind never to be replicated!! Her passing was devastating!! We lost a brilliant woman with the most beautiful masterful mind who could write like no other….the world without her lacks the “color” of HOME!!

[@3039576202]

A genius. Thank you Dr. Morrison for sharing your brilliance. great lecture ....which has inspired me to get back to writing....

[@timmcdraw7568]

@Jimmy George Cause nothing screams "I, Jimmy George, have an over-abundance of intelligence" louder than ending a snarky comment on a Toni Morrison talk at Cornell University with a "....lmao"

[@flywheelshyster]

god she is so original and unique

[@ysabarro333]

Flywheel Shyster and so funny too

[@wonderwoman5528]

Very talented too

[@nefferteri2]

Toni Morris is my inspiration she is so intellectual, some people find it difficult to understand her.

[@Bebe-wm1ot]

Here after reading Morrison for the very first time. Tar Baby will never leave me and I can’t wait to keep reading her.

[@armany02]

Phenomenal woman. You can dislike her or her style, but you cannot deny the strength that race played and continues to play in our everyday lives. Sometimes it's obvious and many times it's subliminal. But it's the things you don't realize you did that makes the notion of race deeper than your imagination.

[@Ladybug9497]

@Jimmy George no she speaks for the realities of pre Jim Crow and the Jim Crow era. That evil culture cannot be erased and she speaks of it.

[@timmcdraw7568]

​@Jimmy George You sound so strong! Your opinions are like hammers shattering our hypnotized awe, our trance of pleasure listening to Toni Morrison speak! You snapped us, the sheeple, out of it. Her mind, her voice, her use of language have nothing on you're coy, even modest, eluding to your own razor sharp intellect. You tease us though! You're proving to us that you are a very brilliant man, Jimmy George, with sophisticated tastes, because you are telling us that Toni Morrison wasn't ever as good as you are, OR as good as the literature you love - but Jimmy George you refuse to give us the goods! Don't just take away - you have to give us something to fill the now empty space left behind. We are here, we are hungry for your knowledge! Not your opinion about race because who really cares about your opinions about race, but tell us about words. Let us have a taste of your literary strength!

[@Autochthonous_Anarchist]

I agree with your compliment, “Phenomenal woman.” But why do “We the People” cast race as a strength and/or confining limitation? Why are we afraid of boundless expression to a perpetual detriment curving and curbing progeny’s potential? Let’s enjoy this Temporary Human Experience as wafts of the smoldering fences are putridly distinct while combining in our dust giving humanity a chance for endless expansion!

[@sandraperkins203]

Nothing to dislike about Toni Morrison.

[@sandraperkins203]

@@Ladybug9497 dont respond to racist trolls report and block them!!!!

[@selinarobinson6767]

Toni Morrison, lady, beloved sista, you ROCK, thank you much for your wisdom and uninhibited courage. Much love, gratitude& respect.

[@GoogleUser-wy2vv]

Many thanks for this gift of listening to Toni Morrison.

[@bwalewoz971]

I love Toni Morrison J'ai eu la chance de la voir et de l'écouter présenter son dernier livre "HOME" au festival de litterature des Amériques de Vincennes en 2012. Souvenir impérissable "HOME" est un chef-d'oeuvre à lire de préférence dans sa version originale.

[@sealie15]

The "Bluest Eye" is the only book ever where I cried after reading.

[@jerzecandy]

For me it was Song of Solomon

[@sarahneel5873]

Why did you cry?

[@TeaLeaf222]

The Bluest Eye is the reason I started writing again. The conclusion of this conversation made my day. RIP to the ancestor. I wish I could have met her and told her how important her work is to me. Thank you Cornell U.

[@gtdillard]

No reason to argue the truth! Thank you in advance for considering this to watch. informative. Toni Morrison's future is the truth.

[@jonathans8748]

Toni Morrison is a sub par writer with a majority White audience that hates itself so much they piss themselves over this fat, black bigot.

[@Jester.D.Joker5612]

Toni Morrison is Queen ! Sad I only found out about her in a interview randomly sent by KZbin's "algorithms". I HAVE TO listen & read more on her ! I'm in awe of eloquence and wisdom & intelligence . She's a smart Soul Sister , Them grey dreads is beautiful . Thanks Toni Morrison 4 everything .

[@bethkerrison3470]

Beyond brilliant. More than inspirational. A compelling and intellectual voice.

[@mountainlinx]

We need this everyday, the thought process, the rhythm, the love and the world will then change....and we may also, along with it

[@__CJLORRAINE__]

Love Love Love Ms. Morrison. The Beautiful. The Brilliant. And incomparable Ms. Morrison. ♡

[@fayetaylor1998]

TONI YOUR WORK IS SUPERB!!! WE LOVE YOU!:)

[@EvaAnika]

Actually, Moors were members of African tribes including Berber and Tuareg, not members of Arab tribes such as Bahraa and Kalb. More importantly, Toni Morrison is soooooo delightful to listen to. I have always loved her use of the language, even when I was a kid and her content soared above my head. Too bad her back surgery and other health concerns are challenging her physically. Yes, I know she's now in her EIGHTIES, but it would be great if she were more mobile so that her physical shape could match that pristine mind of hers! Best wishes, Professor.

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Wonderful commentary. Morridon is like Shakedprare to me, you read a new play or book each time you pick it up to enjoy again.

[@janedvinsson]

@@iamme3329 Here is a transcript of Toni Morrison at Toni Morrison at Portland State, May 30, 1975, if it is that one you are referring to!? so anyone who wants to make their own judgement can read here what was going down ...www.mackenzian.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Transcript_PortlandState_TMorrison.pdf

[@sandraperkins203]

Yes Dr Ivan Van Sertima and other Black scholars have historical analysis in their books on this topic.

[@HaileMecael]

And the Moors were white slave traders who before European got into international slave trade raided Europe and sent white sex slaves to Africa for nearly 8 hundred years. Just adding to your African studies. The word slave comes from the slavs . White people who so common as slaves thar is where the word came from. Americans no nothing about slavery or probably choose to conveniently forget. Blacks go on like they were the only people who were ever enslaved. Look up slavery in the Songhai and Mali kingdoms. Horrendous slavery started in Africa. Infact you could say. Africa showed Europe the way. When it comes to slavery. Now we have the great black gaze

[@user-ou5ls2xc7v]

@Jimmy George I think you’re just upset you’ve had less success than her.

[@johnstoudt7476]

although i have never read anything of hers i was drawn to this interview and i think she is so pronounced in her gestures and her depth of language and the use of it is exceptional.she stands alone as a class act and one of the towering figures of her time.

[@nicholarichards4803]

What a phenomenal woman and an incredible writer

[@TheKingJacob1]

Wonderful discussion, Brodsky is one of the most long-winded speakers of 2016.

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Here is a creative genius from our beloved world only. Rightly awarded with the Nobel Prize for Literature Tony wrote brilliantly and magnificently to win the world.....

[@TristenDurocher]

I don’t like that the interviewer would go on longwinded tangents before asking a question. The people came to hear the author speak, listen to her ideas, not the long detours of a inundating interviewer. (In my opinion) The secret to interviewing well? Speak less than the person being interviewed.

[@farraway-sy8og]

Me too

[@Peighter]

It wasn't an interview. That's why. It was a discussion between professors

[@Peighter]

It wasn't an interview. That's why. It was a discussion between professors

[@1stDEMANDntegrity]

Simple clarity of what is truly valuable in this existence. As always from this great mind, such vision, such humanity, such light, such brilliance! Only the lame of heart, mind and spirit cannot see. And, the lame of mind are to be pitied.

[@womenrockdk1543]

16:35 is when the Lovely Mrs. Morrison Speaks. Excellent Conversation. Pure Black Intelligence. Beautiful.

[@TimoteoDeBaum]

She saw and felt everything for what it truly was. Superhuman, she was. ❤

[@christinebax5702]

It baffles me that the hateful comments even find their way to somewhat obscure lectures such as these. If she is so slow and primitive, why bother to watch the video (I'm assuming the people who are saying hateful things actually watched this video)? If you are so concrete in your bigoted convictions that Africans are the least accomplished people on the planet, why are you so adamant about relaying that in this forum? Do you truly wish to convince others of this belief, or are you waiting for someone to prove you wrong? The fact is, many peoples and races contribute/ have contributed to the things of and in this world as it is now, however most of you choose to cling to your sense of superiority and indoctrinate yourselves with the lies that have been passed down for generations within your culture. I challenge any of you to do real research on a culture other than your own (perhaps one that you detest) and have some practical evidence or advice. Cross examine your resources. Maybe find a solid, viable reason why you hate that particular culture/people. But you can't claim to be a grown man when you sound like a child who just wants someone to pay attention to them.

[@boebender]

Thanks Christine. You know, I wonder how Toni Morrison would respond to some of the comments you alluded to in your response? I wonder how we all would think/feel/behave if there were no one to placate and no one to defend against? To simply be: without the impulse to fit in, defend, or validate one's position and, and to do so without judgment...how authentic we could be... thanks.

[@boebender]

Toni: If the racist white person, and I don't mean if the person is examining his consciousness, doesn't understand that he or she is also a race, it's also constructed. It's also made and it also have some serviceability. When you take it away, if I take your race away, there you are all strung out and then all you have got is your little self. What is that? What are you without racism? Are you any good? Are you still strong? Are you still smart? Do you still like yourself? These are the questions. Part of it is, yes the victim, how terrible it has been for black people. Charlie: Were you ever like that? Toni: I'm not a victim. I refuse to be one. Charlie: The victim is the other person who is morally inferior? I can hold onto racism for his or her own self esteem issue. Toni: That's a serious question. If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees than you have a serious problem. My feeling is white people have a very, very serious problem. They should start thinking about what they can do about it. Take me out of it.

[@Goddess924]

I think Ms. Morrison would call it a severe neurosis

[@JloveLamar]

Sharon F. PROFOUND Neurosis* ;)

[@cleatusspengler2940]

Because if Americans, especially the so called 'progressive' America, is so bent on their version of 'justice' how can they exalt racist venom like this? Imagine a White author using the same language- or a Chinese author speaking about blacks this way. She is a classic bigot with a mostly White audience and its proof of the tail spin American culture is in. She is a out and out racist, not a hero....

[@iwasborntobefly]

can't even get away from racists while listening to a cornell university lecture on toni morrison. how did y'all land here? you must be students at cornell. lol.

[@PninianPnin]

Fifty five dislikes. Bizarre. You'd think they'd actually watch the fucking video instead of complaining about an author they've clearly never read simply for the fact that she's black. How pointless, reductive and stupid. More fool them.

[@symphonyno.9744]

ShineOnCrazyDiamond1 don't even consider making the number of diapprivers valid. It MUST be rigged because I, in purpose, sought out the number of dissaprovers for "The Lord's Prayer" by the SINGIMG NUN" and there were quite a few - my point - it's rigged for a dumb reasob

[@isabelmartin8427]

Toni Morrison is a genius

[@HIP54]

Toni Morrison's intellectual prowess is a threat to those, who aren't used to a brown-skinned person who speaks with authority, without being threatening. Who speaks her truth and is unapologetic about it. Who shows you how good she is, with humility and can back it up with her books, her answers to sometimes ridiculous questions, that have tried to throw her off. People please, the woman does not need to justify who she is to you. Her mere existence is enough, she was always enough...It is a pity that other mindsets were so focused and ready to criticize what she expressed..( it was her experience, her truth) how dare you all judge that!!! No one can deny, what she had to say was fascinating, thought-provoking and challenging to the human experience, regarding race, humanity, love....and most of you would prefer to focus on racism in its most negative form.......Selah...

[@justasimplesomeone]

Really, anyone who cannot understand the genius of this woman should try to educate themselves to a higher level.

[@HIP54]

@Motown Gayes I'm saying what I understand...I am a brownskinned woman...it does not negate what I understand of the term 'black'....I have a 'black' TV. I am not the colour of my TV. ..looool....

[@wonderwoman5528]

@Jimmy George Jimmy, you couldn’t compare so don’t even try

[@stephaniehilliard6730]

Mr James Baldwin & Mrs Toni Morris! Were the (2) most Intelligent Elegance Articulate speaking people that we ever had the pleasure of even knowing of or becoming aware of them. as individuals. May Their Souls Rest In Heavenly Peace . 🙏🏿💔😪💪🏿✊🏿

[@flywheelshyster]

inspiring me to get back to writing. wow.amazing

[@Autochthonous_Anarchist]

I hope you’re still writing! Don’t deny yourself the opportunity of self expression via a stretching form of communication that winds and bends time as it expands into the abyss of greatness that is infinity!

[@lisatillman8530]

Toni Morrison...Lioness!

[@adedoyindosunmu-ogunbi7742]

Yes!

[@champagnerenee9353]

I love how she talks with her hands

[@539jchat]

Toni Morrison the genius. The laugh pattern of the audience was very interesting. Claudia Brodsky NEVER said anything funny. Almost everything Toni Morrison said was FUNNY. Fascinating.

[@jacquelineperry5873]

Why people have always made negative remarks about the greatest people in America to keep us down but we have made great strides despite there hate for us.

[@jkay07]

We love you Toni!

[@EvaAnika]

What she is saying about a lack of waste ... oh man ... we need to get back to that.

[@tinamouzone4155]

Sis in Transition Oh my god it was incredible to hear her talk about that knowing I’m dreading “trash day”.

[@bubblegum1948]

Toni Morrison's voice soothes my Soul. I know it's a strange thing to say. But as strange as it may be, it's Truth.

[@stopthegop4894]

When it was cool to be smart. How our society has fallen. Toni, we need you more than ever now. Rest in Peace magnificent soul.

[@momofthreebanditos]

the meaning is in the structure-the ending is what i have to know before i start,thats where its going.. that is where the meaning lies.. 34:...from where i start, brilliant soul... thank you for your knowledge, Toni. Pride is something which is really moral...

[@barnabaswannabe4652]

Her Majesty 🙏🏿

[@MossitaBrenande]

Love Toni

[@mountainlinx]

Gigantic!!! Wonderful!!!

[@MisterNifty]

+David Linx But just a fifteen minute introduction? Come on now! This isn't just a great woman, but perhaps the best evidence that a black woman can pick up a pen and match the great philosopher Plato! Indeed, we can't at this present time comprehend the incredible thoughts of this great woman as, like Bob once said, we are all like ropes hanging from the Goodyear blimp in comparison to her incredible fantastic wonderful greatness!!

[@aurorab6796]

+MisterNifty Seriously? Her toughts seem racist to me. White gaze? What about the black glares I get when trying to walk down the road. Or the beat down many old white people (and some young) getting when they are in the wrong hood? What about all the black crime and why does she endorse it and why is she our president's favorite author?

[@indyahrashaud1346]

+Aurora B by white gaze, she meant the standard by which all things in America are judged. Those things you mentioned are isolated events. The white gaze is something all people of color must compete with.

[@aurorab6796]

IndYah Rashaud I experience a lot of black gazes. What's your point? I don't look menacing at people, like those I see, but be damned I will not back down.

[@indyahrashaud1346]

+Aurora B lol my point is that it's not a literal gaze. she's not talking about a look you get from people, it's more of a commonly accepted perspective.

[@veemee123]

Thanks for the video. Mrs. Morrison has open doors and shown to the world that Africans in their ancestral spirit are genius. Please someone tell Mrs. Morison to contact Dr. Sebi, IMMEDIATELY! We need our legends alive. Love and respect for the greatest African writer of our time. Love and respect to mother Morrison.

[@InternalStryke]

***** I think that the word genius is the wrong word to use here. While I do agree with the idea that people of different races have different thought processes, I think it would be wrong to consider one variety of thought process to be "superior" to another. Although white people are generally responsible for complex technological advancements, I believe that approach to living/thinking has its pros and cons, just like the other forms of human civilization that exist today and in the past. Don't you find it interesting that despite the incredibly complex technological aspects of western civilization (particularly in American culture), the average citizen is less happy than, say, a hunter gatherer? Or an African living in a village? When someone says "Whites are better; look at all this stuff they've made!" it seems to me that that person is ignoring other key aspects of being human.

[@czickgraf]

Romulus1 I can respect your argument. However, how do you know the hunter gatherer and the village-dweller are happier than the western citizen?

[@adedoyindosunmu-ogunbi7742]

@@clitmint My ancestors built that wall! This makes sense to me because I know how highly intelligent my family members are-perfectly logical that my ancestors directed the construction of the greatest construction project in history. I pray that you get enlightened.

[@adedoyindosunmu-ogunbi7742]

@@clitmint My ancestors were part of the leaders6of Benin City. The leadership was entirely Black African.

[@billyalarie929]

this interviewer is amazing.

[@cestmoi5702]

Can anyone direct me to the link of the book she cowrote with the Malian musician? And also, is there a video of the play in English or any other language? Thank you very much.

[@krewecoumbite]

Toni Morrison is Legendary.

[@susannavoormolen3111]

edifying testimony brings anew God fearing consciousness

[@TheMarkofkane]

Wonderful! Hello Claudia!

[@tcrijwanachoudhury]

I wish I could hear her talk in person,

[@dallasharlow4431]

🕊

[@Youngnaps892]

guy in class yelled "why we watching rachel doleful speak on race?" he was talking about the woman speaking in the introduction...

[@lindiwengwevela524]

Those intros were so long and unnecessarily so. Like, we all came here for Toni, y'all.

[@kaefreemanduchess719]

⚘RIP ⚘Dr.Toni Morrison i love you so much⚘🍃🌷🍃⚘🍃🌷⚘🍃⚘🍃⚘🍃⚘🍃⚘🍃❤

[@fairisfair2986]

17:23 she starts to speak

[@Jen-jo2fd]

Imagine paying to listen to Morrison speak and not being able to hear her. She’s so softly spoken

[@garyhughes1202]

To those that say she is racist, I say you are incorrect and the fact that you think she is a racist shows your lack of understanding of her perspective as a writer. You either are dilberately misunderstanding her perspective and/or you simply will never understand it (which is a shame). Which ever you are, it does not make her a racist. You all are importing your own biases when calling her a racist. Instead of doing this, examine your own biases and figure out how they influence your need to call her a racist. Your absence of understanding does not mean she is a racist. There is more than one perspective in literature that is not white and male, which has been the overwhelmingly, dominate perspective in the US whether you realize that or not.

[@loisking5116]

she, ms morrison makes some white people uncomfortable because it tells of the inhumanity of white men that has been visited on others by them. It is an ugliness they dont want to adress or be reminded of. they get angry because a black woman has the ordastity to do so. they willingly embrace the privledge that they have inherited but they dont want to embrace the ugly part. So they call this woman a racist because she write about these things. They are the true racist.! You have to have power and control to be a racist, otherwise you are just a bigot.

[@DerekFullerWhoIsGovt]

A more recent "Goodness" finding it hard to speak is Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. All it said was "I am Groot"

[@DerekFullerWhoIsGovt]

@Storm I Am Groot.

[@BlessedOne-jp1cy]

Why was I such a buffoon to not read or listen to her whilst she lived??? Wow! Just wow!

[@alindley3128]

What about Tess of the D'Urbevilles as an example of literary goodness? Garrison Keillor once said on his Writer's Almanac Radio Moment that Tess is an important fictional character because, "She makes goodness interesting."

[@adimeter]

What a delightful unlikely 'looking' pair. That old saying, "You cannot judge a book by its cover". Mrs. Morrison

[@adimeter]

Mrs. Morrison, older very relaxed and Claudia Brodsky, sophisticated and polished. Yet that is all superficial. They obviously are quite 'likely' and quite compatible. Most enjoyable interview.

[@jenniferwatkins8509]

I will Proudly accept the Toni Morrison surprise

[@beatrixvantil8623]

I love her Desdemona , great vision , the only way to see the play ,

[@nathaniellcornejo]

A wonderful conversation inasmuch as Toni Morrison is involved. Claudia Brodsky is too reverential to be especially helpful. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

[@bkerrjr]

Nathaniel Cornejo Yeah, but she is incredibly articulate.

[@nathaniellcornejo]

+bkerrjr She is articulate.

[@johndeagle4389]

What was Morrison's opinion of William Ellison?

[@GeniusisCommon]

Pure Genius!

[@psalano]

And you can talk bad about her -- But who are YOU!!!!!

[@temitopeoketikun1379]

I like the last part about the bluest eye

[@ellenw391]

Seriously? Over 15 minutes of intros? It starts at 16:11 (How I wish someone had posted this before I sat through the needless blather)

[@rashmigawade2011]

Which book is toni Morrison reading from?

[@mercyshaver5264]

Love the education 👏 ❤️

[@juliaprice3044]

are the books she talks about based on "beloved" and "home"?

[@willprinn3837]

why so much introduction guys.

[@PeaceLoveRobbie]

Would you like to talk about your new work? No. Love it.

[@literaryebooks]

Herman Melville and Tony Morrison are not European writers, they are American writers! Herman Mellview was an American romantic writer from the American Romantic period. American Romanticism is fundamental to American literature so it is imperative that you teach this correctly. Toni Morrison, was an American novelist, essayist, book editor, and college professor. Hence, I don’t know why you’re presenter at the beginning of the lecture called them European writers😂🤦🏻 perhaps that was a goof😂

[@SueLyons1]

19:14 pomp and circumstance over; the conversation begins 👍 Ingersol lecture on goodness 👏 👏 👏 30:51 ❤ 'goodness is really hard ❤ you can't seduce it' ❤ 💙 💜 💖 💗 💘 🥳 🎉 🪅 🎊 'inside you is that free person... locate her and let her do some good in the world' 32:24 36:01 'deep down is this free person' ❤ 'that's the one you should be paying attention to' ❤ 36:06 'that's the one you need to use to do some good in the world' ❤ 36:12 'simple clarity about what is valuable' ❤ 'hard-won lessons spoken by people who have been there' 36:38 'and that are not crushed that are not crushed' ❤ 36:39 39:00 on Desmemona 'take away the 'white' gaze, the 'white' world' [take away Iago, the 'white' gaze] ... the oppressor is the 'white' man or the 'white' idea 45:38 ... that's who they were responding to ... and I thought I can't do that 👏 the freedom the open world that appears is stunning 🥳 🎉 🪅 🎊 there was this free space that opened up 🥳 🎉 🪅 🎊 by refusing to respond to the gaze' 🥳 🎉 🪅 🎊 47:01 'you'll understand about Iago now, why I had to get rid of him' 👍 👏 👏 👏 47:14 ... everybody is dead so they can really say what is on their mind 👍 👏 👏 👏 48:30 ---------------------------------------

[@PeacefulPariah]

thank you

[@yed-nadiashihab3748]

Still more than, 99/100 commun ADN we forget, it seems. 🧗🏻‍♀️🧘‍♀️💃

[@lafayetteplace3031]

Good video

[@gwendolynnixon5480]

She had Toni Morrison on stage, and all she is doing is running her mouth.

[@kolplako4525]

I see dozens of comments about “all the awful racist comments” but not a single actual racist comment lol.

[@MrDessirius]

Kolp Lako That's because yourself deluded and not looking for any

[@ashleybelot9467]

I love her

[@classical.pianist]

Claudia talked way too much.

[@leayahia8880]

She a reminder of Slave History she received the gift of writing so as not to forget The White Gaze as she liked to say

[@jmarcherrera]

Lovely Humans, yay!

[@inkunziebomvu713]

30:00 Dimes were dropped

[@hokeyjoel]

I wonder why she is not a Muslin, but they would say she is dangerous with that kind of knowledge and money.

[@graysonconroy3935]

as unbent pale male i always felt from connecticut , cut I connect ans american african, dna's home why we raised more for famine in Ethiopia than anywhere else, in 1985

[@Valerioraschiamare]

WFT was going on with those intros

[@debcambria665]

Great writer. Her hatred explained