Toni Morrison Refuses To Privilege White People In Her Novels!

"Toni Morrison has always taken for granted the centrality of Blackness in her novels. She has refused throughout her writing career to privilege "Whiteness" in her literary works. In this clip, Toni Morrison discusses the way she felt when interview Bill Moyers asked her when she would write about white people, as if this was something she should be interested in doing. She refuses to accept the idea that writing about Black people is not "real writing," and that Black writers must engage with White characters or the White world in order for their writing to be legitimate. She will not privilege White people, nor will she explain things to White readers." - @Anti_Intellect

[@joshp.jackson6322]

“As if our lives has no meaning or depth without the white gaze”

[@jessicadavis5932]

@donna laino What?!

[@jacobdavis8346]

@Deidre Montrose Black people are killed by trigger happy cops in this country, regardless of religious background. That is white supremacy.

[@terrencemyers1033]

NOTHING!

[@ThisGuy76]

Remember, they "discovered" black & brown people as they went around the world as though we didn't exist until they set eyes on us.

[@spiritsplice]

Since they behave and speak as if having access to white people is a fundamental right of nonwhites, they literally do think this.

[@tracy2919]

"I think you're putting too much into the question." Well, welcome to the world of critical, analytical writers and readers Charlie.

[@charissecrenshaw1577]

Life goals: to be able to speak so calmly and intellectually while exposing the insulting premise of a question to a person who is programmed not to see it. It’s like she was offering him the pill that gets him out of the Matrix. I hope he took it.

[@purpleness64]

All of this ☝️☝🏿☝🏾

[@shawnlivers2757]

I love this comment.

[@seantilson8728]

Lol, he obviously didn't take it. (I don't mean this as a criticism of your lovely comment but as an indictment of Rose.) It seems that Rose may have had no redeeming qualities. I guess... He did enable this interview to happen.

[@Yokokurama777]

Amen

[@Tonyh0113]

So egotistical and bold and unaware

[@geekmanifesto]

I love the way she expresses herself. What a woman. What a human being. If everyone could go about expressing their views in this manner, think of the world we would live in.

[@JoePrzemyslany]

It already exists, in Detroit.

[@jeromedevereaux1332]

Abbey Normal Scrambling much? And what has any of this to do with the words of the High Priestess? Furthermore, the drop out rates for working class whites are the same for both races all over the country. Moreover, White college graduates are having to be retrained in corporate American because they cannot perform simple math and science equations, and know even less about the King's English. So just because you're feeling shitty about your own raggedy life doesn't give you the right to wipe your ass on black students. They are at least as smart as whites: which is to say that they're all dumb; and trying to scapegoat the blacks will do nothing for your own paltry life.

[@abbeynormal3987]

Arguable

[@tejasnair3399]

You begin by reading great books and listening to more of this instead of whatever other garbage.

[@tacsavory]

Double standards is what she's referring to in a very clever way, great answer.

[@zoebow1824]

mansplaining poorly

[@LlyleHunter]

She was absolutely brilliant, mind blowing and profound. We lost a genius today.

[@kinky2002]

I aspire to be Toni Morrison, she is the epitome of greatness and intelligence!

[@DJPhreaky]

+tis now or never I don't think that pain in your neck is from a novelist, you might want to check it out and ask your johns to stop shoving it so deep.

[@waggna469]

Aspire to be yourself

[@MrSamone09]

This was phenomenal. She added value to him by desiring to teach him the why behind her answer. This is true education

[@kevinthomas522]

That is why Charlie is an excellent interviewer....he allowed the interviewee to answer the question.

[@kari8420]

4 fucking reals!

[@kari8420]

@torigolden

[@frederickgriffith7004]

Poor Charlie was clearly out of his league.What a brilliant woman. But Mr Rose was smart enough to let her speak without embarrassing himself any further. She clearly was so well read herself and did not exist in a vacuum

[@lepotatoes]

@@frederickgriffith7004 precisely this. Toni Morrison was a brilliant mind, I love her words. So eloquent and sharp.

[@stevenhunter3345]

My god, she is brilliant. When Rose first ask her, "Aren't you importing too much into the question," I thought she was. But then as she went on and explained the reasoning behind her literary choices (that the "white gaze" was not the preeminent perspective in her work), I was floored. She explicates more about race in this short clip than most could do in a doctoral thesis. What a remarkably brilliant woman!

[@poosnip]

So racism is about the inequity of power! White people have the power and are unwilling to share it

[@babyszaa]

+John Smith Slaves propelled your ancestors and you all still benefit from this day. Aside from "inheritance". You all as a group not as an individual benefits. Imagine a class room. Where a teacher favors blue eyed children. The teacher favors though children and the children begin to feel superior over other children. The teacher constantly rewards and passes blue I children. A blue eyed child can beat up a green eyed child and no one would bate an eye. Brown/Green eyed children will blame themselves for everything, they would wish they were blue eyed. Whenever a brown/green eyed child would be doing equal if not better than the blue eyed students, that brown eyed student would still be inferior and blue eyed students would do anything in there power to make sure the b/g students will never thrive in there position. It might even be a couple of students like this and even the teacher. There might not be all blue eyed students that do that or believes the brown eyed students, but not doing anything about it means they continue to benefit from it. If a b/g student tries to tell the blue eyed student who doesn't believe but benefits that the blue eyed group in the class is wrong and they continue to deny it even though they see it they benefit still. Or if they see a b/g student getting talked down on and another blue student steps in they have the privilege to end it BC they have the power too when they choose to use if for the other eye colored group. When they don't help they believe if it doesn't affect me I don't care continuing to have and benefit from their power and not try to make it equal. anyway. I might have gone overboard but I hope that's a good understanding

[@bhat_ysrael]

+John Smith .... Naive. ..... Asians weren't brought here in slave ships. 400+ yrs of slavery, Jim Crow, and continued purposeful systemic racism and incarceration is real and continues to affect a specific community. But based on your comments on this video, you are going to choose to believe what you want. The questions you pose are not for enlightenment, because you obviously don't care, and Ms. Morrison is speaking her TRUTH, her LIFE, her EXPERIENCES, NOT YOURS, so get over it.

[@poosnip]

***** It's not easy rising up from being owned is it? If the African american experience is anything to go by then my statement is a patent truth. It is also unexceptional that socioeconomic outcomes for blacks lack parity with other minorities in many ways. This can be rationalized quite easily if the subject is analysed deeply (perhaps through the lenses of history.... a history blacks having been consigned to being just property of whites ..... not so long ago). You show me another minority that has been owned by the white man. The closest you might get would be native Americans and they were never slaves.....However their fate is even worse, they are all but wiped out and whats left a disparate lost cause! NOW I certainly dont go in for making excuses for black people and their lot. There seems to be a mentality problem (particularly in the case of some African Americans) that slows progress, but that too can be rationalized by studying the history. However you simply can not negate history for some bullshit ideology or be allowed to just say that there must be something wrong with black people because the outcomes for them is not the same as that of Jews, chinese, or Southern eastern asians! Apples and Oranges Dickhead! You are raising a false analogy.... a false equivalency too!

[@poosnip]

i

[@viralbuthow000]

Took Charlie to Morrison University.

[@BackInTheLab2011]

+roscoegino Amen to that!!!

[@alocintsruh]

YES!

[@jonathans8748]

Where all you have to be is lemming and or a self hating White who cant tell literature from the Enquirer....

[@suzettegardner1515]

LOL

[@rhondaherbert9282]

Actually it was a white woman who asked her when was she going to write about white ppl...hes just asking her about that interviewer

[@Selahsmum]

I love how Morrison points how how racialized white writers are and just dint realize it. Its totally true. As a white reader i will catch in books or other writing by white writers their assumption that white is the "default" setting of humanity and anyone else is therefor exotic. And why should a black writer not write about black people? As a young white teenage girl Morrisons book profoundly affected me because of their raw emotion, their heartache, the beauty of her prose (I always say she ruined me for other authors- im very picky about fiction), and their history lessons. I had an otherwise intelligent feiend in college who said he didnt like her books bec they were always about black people and he thought somethjng was being shoved down his throat. But this mentality underscores the white mentality (tgat many whites dont actually know we have) that life is really about US and that blacks, Hispanics, or any other racial group are accessories to the fact; they are set dressing to our lives, which are the REAL story. Thats why we still, in 2015 see black people or other visible minorities as the side kicks (or house bands in the case of late night tv) if we see them at all. Its still about white people in white peoples minds, and so black writers who, as Morrison has done so well, wrote about black people and without the white gaze, are going to continue to be asked why they always write about "race".

[@marravirge4572]

You are such an ally to the black community. You are white, and You are WOKE, so please use your privilige for the good of humanity. You seem like a very well balanced person, articulate and informed. You can see things differently than most and I hope that by now you have realized that many white people can't do this. It's up to you and the few like you to help us change the narrative between whites and people of color because enlightenment to a white person can't come from us blacks, it's seen as biased and uninformed.. I'm glad to see that people like you exist in this world and it gives me HOPE.

[@larkatmic]

+Selahsmum Beautifully said

[@larkatmic]

+Marra Virge I'm white, 51 and male. I was WOKE years ago by my Mother back when I was a child. I continue to share the wisdom she left to me, on to my kids, and to my fellow white flock. Like James Baldwin said 'Being white IS the problem' in this society. To engage and break down white privilege is white folks responsibility, to take ownership of what White superiority has done in this world, is to free oneself, to have empathy and give opportunity to those who haven't the privilege.

[@pursuingancientpaths8131]

+Marra Virge Thank you for your kind comment (this is Selahsmum I might just be signed in with a different account). I have always, and always will, continue to challenge other white folks (and that includes myself! Always need to be critical thinking even of ourselves) about our privilege and the default assumptions we have been raised with that its all about US. I think the fact that even someone like Rose, who is a thoughtful man, doesnt see the problem inherent in his question, underscores this is still a colossal problem in our society.

[@lone_demon]

+Shoahshana Goldberg-Shekelstein hah, you got ignored!

[@vontaperez6684]

THIS is why I will forever be a fan of Toni Morrison and her work!

[@itstheru274]

"😍😁💜💖💙💚🌹😍😙

[@celestineissharkeishano8048]

Ugh, he is so condescending....She schooled him.

[@felixicon]

❤👸🏿🤱🏿🙌🏾🤲🏾❤

[@browngirlstravel5640]

@@jon8004 no, we all understand the question asked. For the record he did not propose the initial question. The problem is that white people think that they're the center of the world. The question itself should have never been posed. Black people never ask white writers why they don't write about them. The few white writers who right about black people always study and get it wrong. We rarely see ourselves in servant sidekick step-and-fetch roles they give us in their stores. So, why should a black writer have to write about white people? Aren't writers supposed to write what they know and what interest them?

[@dchatterley]

I would agree with a lot of replies. I don't think he is condescending. He is just ignorant and unaware, and worst of all is not putting any visible effort in trying to understand where Morrison is coming from. On top of that, Morrison is an excellent wordsmith who will make anyone look a bit lackluster when it comes down to literary skill. This is a conversation that is very nuanced and informative and should be happening everywhere. It's actually a perfect example of a white person being completely unaware of their own privilege.

[@lightshadow5913]

Felt more like ignorance to me. Lack of knowledge and awareness. He appeared receptive to what Toni had to say and I love how elegant and insightful her responses are.

[@cockeyedoptimista]

@@jon8004 She is not the first to call Charlie condescending! He often talks over people - and look at him now! Fired from his job because his true personality was revealed: entitled, womanizing.. I was sort of sorry to see him go, I admit: he was a brillianf, knowledgeable man: but he's certsinly blind in This interview, and it was time for consequences to be felt for these men who think the world exists just to please them. Bless Ms. Morrison for being able to believe in herself in the face of Mr. Rose and such: it's a very difficult feat, just very difficult, and she does it with calm elegance. She's at rest now, so bless her relations and her memory. I liked her work and her voice is Vital for her community and the world. Maybe she's not Chinua Achebe - but neither are John Grisham, Michael Chrichton, Ann Tyler, Terry McMillan, and Toni beats or is as good as all of them.

[@kikiperry8176]

What an elegant and gracious response. A throw away question from a emotion of privilege and petulance has been dealt with gracefully and firmly.

[@Raphalou]

Why would someone ask such a question? Why would a Black writer need to be accepted, validated and approved only when writing about non-blacks. Unfortunately, this is the reality. Many white people (not all) will even be interested in reading a book on black characters, and the same can be said about Blacks. But the true intelligent and enlightened person, will read what is good to them, regardless of race. I don't think writers (always) think about writing in race, I think they write out of their own experiences. Which only makes perfect sense.

[@savageCutty]

I think the question centers more around the following; can the artist achieve the same level of art while engaging, and relating with, a larger audience? The problem with the question itself is that the people asking are asking this out of fear and scorn for the artist. Its a challenge on multiple levels, and she responds eloquently. The best works of art, though, particularly through literature, are immortalized by their accessibility to a basic human audience, not a specific racial audience. Many of the perceived greats, though, are considered great because they are relatable to white patriarchal society. I think, ultimately, we are all trapped by our experiences, and i agree with you in that a writer writes from experience.

[@Raphalou]

Well said! I agree 100%

[@abbeynormal3987]

RaphaelLouis Jones But on the other hand, let's not chastise a white author for writing about their white experience as not being privileged, coming from the context of living within a norm, therefore "white privilege" is not perceived by the average white american as any privilege at all. Did I make any sense on that? I am not disagreeing with you I am just saying she can write about any one or body she chooses and need to explaination, but the like is true of any one else as well.

[@abbeynormal3987]

Abbey Normal needs no explanation- stupid spellcheck

[@disclaimerdepartment317]

But that is not what the interviewer said, Julio.

[@MickyAvStickyHands]

Was a stupid question to begin with. She should have just said, "b/c I don't want to". An elegant response to a dumb question is just like gift wrapping a turd. Waste of time.

[@FishFreddy]

Exactly, it is silly to demand certain races in book. That is freedom of art.

[@annt.7785]

+MickyAvStickyHands I know right. Why the hell do they always want black people to write about race. White people get enough damn attention in life.

[@andrewstack4889]

MickyAvStickyHands I get your point, but she is too elegant and literary herself to answer that way. But you are right, lol

[@LaketaSmith]

...i agree with your sentiment. However, some times a person needs their turd put right back onto their plate and the gift wrapping is the only way to slow the pooper down enough, captivate their attention long enough so they can really get the full effect of their own stinking turd in front of them 😂. Madam Morrison did this brilliantly without getting any turdiness on her gifted hands. I MUST curtsy to her 😂

[@lightshadow5913]

I think she recognizes that she wasn't obligated to give a long drawn out answer, but instead she chose a route that would benefit both sides. Her explanation was thought provoking and insightful and im sure left a lasting impression. She used this as a teaching moment to open someone's eyes to what they may be ignorant and blind to. She understands her answer isn't just being heard by the interviewer but viewers everywhere.

[@joymacL]

That guy really didn't get it.

[@antoniothompson5514]

+joymacL No he didn't!

[@thomasgoodrich127]

Yet he asked the right questions to inspire her to say these amazing things. Knowing Rose's body of work, (and Moyers whom they mention), he is not the type of journalist to bring people on his show to attack them. It's more likely that Charlie asked these questions already knowing where she stood and would most likely respond. He pulled out her brilliance around this important topic.

[@Livelife257]

joymacL Rarely do they get it

[@PreachThePoet]

She gives me the chills. I could just sit and listen. #passontheknowlege

[@willwright2099]

Those who say she a racist, totally missed the point. She is asking why must she as an author write about white people to be accredited as a prolific writer. Simultaneously asking why must her being a black person seek validation through the eyes of white people.That not being racist that confidence in her abilities.

[@divxxx]

I don't think that is the question. The question "why do you write about race?" doesn't mean that she should write about white people. The question is why do you put race and racism at the center of every novel you write. She believes that white authors do the same, but that's not true. If she were telling stories about lives of people who happen to be black, nobody would bat an eye. The point is that those lives are always defined by race and racism. It's like writing a novel about jewish people and inevitably centering the story about the holocaust. There are thousands of other ways to contstruct a novel and to talk about people's lives that do not put the racial struggle at the center of the story. But I understand that as long as black authors like her will divide the world by race, they will see their lives through race. Once you truly disregard completely one person's appearence and you only focus on their character, then you will be able to write stories about black people without talking about race.

[@TheLafemmenoir]

Charlie Rose: Aren't you putting too much into the question?" Dismissive

[@nightowl6260]

More than dismissive. Demeaning, devaluing,==as she said insulting.

[@blaiqangel]

She handled this beautifully. Exhibited her intelligence and her frustration in such a classy way. I love this woman. She is truly incredible.

[@jessicalee333]

She wasn't writing about white people, so she was writing about "race". Ugh.

[@whereammy]

Being black is political and being white is non political, the times may change but the racist tropes do not.

[@ReddzVoice]

Toni Morrison [my favorite Novelist] is EPIC; she has a brilliant mind! "We ['Black' people] must learn to STOP making 'White' Supremacy and 'White' people the central characters of OUR narrative(s)! [TONI MORRISON]' Peace and love...

[@artemiosruthenia7291]

Black racism is better than white?

[@capoislamort100]

proud black woman!

[@mrmidnightmovie]

Ever thought about being a proud black man outside of America

[@glennsheppard9861]

+mrmidnightmovie why?does it fuck with yu?being a proud black man in america?

[@mrmidnightmovie]

Why should you be proud just being born a race ? and to answer your question proud + black = foolishness not the kind of pathological foolishness white guilt is but foolishness non the less. If you say it is hard to be a black man in America today I'll ask compered to what ? There over 300 million Chinese that live on less the 2 dollars a day there are billions of people living in third world that would give almost anything to be any kind of American so can you be a real man and leave America and make it on your own come on show me in practice what a proud black man could do

[@MsEljay90]

compared to what? compared to other Americans, specifically white Americans. The "in America" part of the statement is your clue to place the statement in the context of America.

[@mrmidnightmovie]

Why not compare other countries you know there are billions of people in the third world that would give there right arm to be any kind of American

[@EllaBirt]

She was so profoundly wise, so beautiful.

[@exitcheese]

love her locks!

[@calebtann2693]

They're so long and beautiful

[@Livelife257]

exitcheese Yes such a beautiful Crown!

[@johndeagle4389]

Her hair looks like Gary Oldman's in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Ugly.

[@daramcneil4297]

@@johndeagle4389 dickhead deagle, thats what we called him in school guys... just sayin

[@MsSblackwell13]

That's why Morrison is one of favorite writers because she is not just the best writer but also a great critical thinker.

[@VidkunQL]

Even if she _couldn't_ write a decent novel that wasn't all about black people and race, so what? It would be a limitation to her art, but so what? Most people can't write a decent novel about anything; I doubt that I could, so I'd envy the ability of someone who could write great novels but only about deaf homosexual communist lion tamers. When she writes, she doesn't owe anything to anyone but her characters and her muse. The idea that she really ought to prove her ability by writing a novel indistinguishable from every other in the mainstream is absurd, and I think she explains that very eloquently here.

[@LaketaSmith]

...the lion tamers tho? Hilarious! This comment made my day 😂😂😂.

[@stebossm3195]

You are wrong and that's the point. Her point is why must things have white as the center to be valid ..and before it was a thing she basically says...black lives matter and are worth the story ...

[@biondna7984]

Why do I get the feeling that the question was really, "Are you ever going to stop making us white people uncomfortable?" Or, "Uncle!" because her writing is so effective. I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach finishing Beloved.

[@denise3422]

@Juan Rivas Great question did u get an answer?

[@zoebow1824]

Beloved really shook me, and made me check myself in a very powerful way. I see slavery in a very different light after reading Beloved. Before I recognized as a horrific thing that happened, but I didn't REALLY get how awful it was. Beloved really made me face my own misconceptions. Man I can't go back to crappy white fantasy novels now. I really enjoy reading books with main characters of other races now, I get confused sometimes, but thats the good part. I want to have to think about what I'm reading. I want to see how race effects us and our lives, and I think there is so much more to say through non-white characters.

[@namuyanjahajara4487]

I think she wrote what was true and needed to honour what she went through and her family as well. Thank you

[@9175rock]

Exactly Joanne

[@gr8fruitsprouts440]

I am a 63 y/o, and I have yet to see any white artist- writer, or otherwise- apologizing, or explaining their artistic choices in this manner- none. As someone (white) here noted- whites assume that they are the standard, the benchmark of the human race, so to speak- as if everyone should somehow reflect their standards. Not so! There's a lot more to it, and I agree with her on every level. I'm glad she stuck to her guns to the end. Much respect. R.I.P.

[@lafemmenoir8518]

The question should have NEVER been posed as it is not a legitimate question.

[@pyrochromatic88]

2:23 Professor Morrison laughs with him, and then cuts to the chase. Watch his face as it suddenly hits home...

[@dlg5485]

It's not a question she should have felt the need to answer, but I'm so glad she did. And her answer should help a lot of white viewers immensely.

[@lindsay.b.]

Slay, Madame Morrison. Slay. Mmm.

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

You cannot rape a black woman.

[@geraldjohnson3216]

She took him down 4 the count

[@itstheru274]

"Yes girl! Get'em! i love it!"😄😍😲😙💜💚💙

[@chelabuford7106]

Mmmm Hmmm!!!!!!!!💯👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽☺️

[@DrDorothyParker]

She did not import to much into the question, the question itself imported too much into the question she just saw through the bull crap it was laced with...

[@tftkadawidalle6342]

BEautiful mind, woman, writer and answer. Thank you Toni.

[@doyouknowwhatithink6561]

Any author should be able to write whatever they want.

[@en273]

Listening to her is such a privileged blessing.

[@francoisbessing]

What a great mind. A beacon of much light that causes irreparable damage to the darkness.

[@sierrafarnum9689]

I love how the vast majority of popular literature focuses on white people and as soon as it doesn't some white people pretend as if they aren't getting enough attention.

[@yeezythabest]

"when you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppressions"

[@jasonsellers6025]

Sincerity just pours out of her...just truth all over

[@pompomzassou]

Wow she really handed it to the interviewer, whom you could see was clearly in a pinch. You see, this kind of shrewd questions, and his way of -- I paraphrase -- saying that she's digging/thinking too much in the question is used very often as a way to make people feel uncomfortable, to lay the blame on the one answering. And it's a very difficult social situation to defuse. Often, the person who poses the question and turn the table onto the one answering by saying they think too much into it, gets away with it. But no, not with this woman. She has so deftly and gently plucked away the wires of a ticking bomb, and defused it expertly. Just wow.

[@mel...s]

Julius Eddy yes! That explosive metaphor was amazing.

[@nyle3290]

absolutely love this women

[@lanamena7603]

Love her response.

[@quantammechanic3489]

I honestly think this woman is a genius. If you can't tell from my user name, I am a big fan of science. And like a lot of people interested in science, especially those that came into it as young people, I came into it first, not necessarily because of a curiosity for answering the big questions about the natural world, but more because I was attracted to those big minds, the geniuses like Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, and Steven Hawking. And it was by way of them, and an admiration for their mental powers, that I got turned onto science as a practice, and to those questions about the universe to which that practice is directed. And what I'm trying to say is that I, after many years of not feeling that, once again feel that attraction to genius when I hear this woman speak. I'm not talking about what she speaks about, the topics of the videos I've watched, which have been varied. But whatever she speaks about, it seems as if she transforms it into something profound. It's wisdom. And her language, the word choices, it's like poetry every time she speaks about practically anything. It's crazy to me that people can speak that way without having memorized anything or reading off a teleprompter. So I do think she's a genius, not in that soft sense that the meaning of that word has come to take as a result of overuse, but in the real, original sense. I think her mind is special. I didn't know writers like that still existed. I'm glad to discover they still do.

[@Sankines]

I have rewatched this interview coz it addresses and sheds light on soooo many problems when it comes to race and art, whether literary or movies, etc... Growing up, i watched tv and read books that were always about white people coz thats all i was fed on tv and in school, i had never thought about it much till i was in this english discussion class and i realised that all the stories i had ever written in my life for english class, featured white ppl. it scared the shit outta me. why had i never featured ppl of my own race in my writings? y did it come soooo naturally and easy for me to write about white ppl than black? why do i still have to actively think and remind myself that my characters can be black too, why have i never tried it? so for those of u who think this is just an exaggerated problem "those blacks" won't stop singing about well, try and put urself in my shoes. it may sound petty but it really does have it's own importance. the sad thing is i'm african (that's not the sad part, i'm proudly ugandan and was born and raised there :D) so the whole having-black-characters thing shoulda been easy but thats how far and deep rooted this problem is, that even people from a predominantly black continent find it hard to put to paper characters that look like them coz they've been overtly and covertly "told" that white characters r the only ones that can make successive and interesting and enjoyable reads, among other arts. YES, THIS IS A PROBLEM.

[@JoePrzemyslany]

The people who raised you, were illiterate in their own culture. Yes, it's sad, but hardly the fault of "the white people." In fact, rural people, peasants, do not usually participate in culture, in the same way as the artists and writers, living in the big cities, do. You are an adult now, I presume. Part of being an adult, is taking responsibility for the further development of your own mind, your own intellect.

[@Ntthabi]

Joe fact that your "systems"constructed institutions to qualify and grade and to exclude and define and decide not to bestow qualifications upon our parents does not make them illiterate. Today I walk tall on my grandmother's footsteps in terms of advice and it is better than any self help garbage I can get from your literate scholars... so please have some respect and stop being typical of your kind

[@fayetaylor1998]

Nthabiseng Dlamini could not have said this better!

[@mafreed2007]

The question is inane and her answer is brilliant

[@DearStephanieX]

Wow. I am forever amazed by the profoundness of her words...she spoke at my graduation :) I've never been able to articulate this particular point of view as eloquently as Ms Morrison. Blown away by the complexity of it all....Thanks.

[@VivaToddVegas]

She seems to be a very literate, thoughtful person. Her response makes a lot of sense to me. I wish more discussions of race could be this intellectual and civilized. Yes, I am white.

[@VivaToddVegas]

***** Oh yes, I am.

[@spiritsplice]

VivaToddVegas Thoughtful? She is a hateful bigot who thinks blacks are entitled to have everything handed to them. Notice these blacks who hate whites never leave and live in non-white lands with their money.

[@manwize07]

VivaToddVegas I understand your view. Yes, we have many books on race which are innumerable. It's good to see variety and some white people would like to know the experiences and views of melanous people, but society makes it dificult for them to even position themselves to ask or inquiry of the melanous people.

[@spiritsplice]

***** No, that would be Toni.

[@spiritsplice]

Maria Alicea So you think whites are superior.

[@lindseyclark08]

She took him to fucking school.

[@theimpaler1492]

Good maybe she can take a lot more people to school an i wont read anymore dumb racist comments from this page lol

[@daisyhannahflower]

Keep teaching Toni Morrison...I agree 100% on your views! Keep preaching your gorgeous African female Aquarius.

[@jessesherer9792]

She is simultaneously both sharp and gentle. What and incredible mind and powerful, beautiful voice.

[@nadia4999]

I personally love Toni Morrison. From the way her words come off her tongue to the sound it makes when it hits my ears. She speaks so musically. I think it's rather funny that "PEOPLE" want to question why she DOES NOT speak on other matters. It's almost arrogant in thought to question a person's choice in writing style because you somehow WANT TO BE APART OF HER STORIES. The bottom line is she is an Author, a Writer. She speaks and creates characters from her mind, her heart, her soul her voice. If she wasnt as GREAT AS A WRITER AS SHE IS...these "folks" wouldnt not want to be associatated with the great Toni Morrison and would not give one rats tail if she included them in her stories or not. It's clearly obvious and I love it that she is so straight up and candid.

[@mike4ty4]

Good. We need more people to challenge the dominant paradigm and tropes.

[@joedaw3003]

This was a religious experience for me because it spoke about everything sublime creative freedom represents. Listening to Ms Morrison, I understand Bob Dylan better.

[@ellengreenlaw8839]

Thank you Dr. Morrison. Your voice is so missed. Bless us from spirit.

[@neorebelonxy5784]

I love her comments here! She fully unpacks this for Charlie. Now I will watch the Moyers interview.

[@demebady]

Eloquent and powerful!!!

[@neorebelonxy5784]

very much so

[@nomadicronin89]

Very interesting; a black interviewer asked George RR Martin a similar question in regards to writing black characters in fantasy novels and George responded similarly; he said something along the lines of "Fantasy books were written mostly by white men;" I'm paraphrasing of course.

[@jasonbustard6745]

One of the most power-full things I have ever seen.

[@griot5]

We live without apology when we are free!!! Thank you Mama Morrison for being free!!! Marahaba!!!!

[@celondelon]

The emotive language used to describe Toni Morrison's view she 'refuses' she's a writer and a writer must write in their authentic voice, not pander to social ideas and views of mainstream culture. I don't see what the problem is here? Could someone please explain. Charlie is asking a question without thinking about it's context or even why its being asked he's being called out on it she answers beautifully and she hasn't blown it up she's smart and wonderful.

[@pursuingancientpaths8131]

Yes, and shes far more gracious than I would have been.

[@Gor2593]

@@pursuingancientpaths8131And far more respectful and patient than I would have been.😂😂😂

[@JW-dg9gf]

Morrison is grounded in truth. Poor Rose is still boxed in by misunderstanding and fear. I appreciate that he wants to clarify and can also be moved. She is a professional in rhetoric and race-splaining through the lens of truth. Brilliant, humble and charming.

[@legendaryclarity]

The question revealed entitlement in the context that white America is used to being the main audience of American literature.

[@mikeltruss9695]

Wow!! Amazing, made me rethink everything.

[@alanliddell2281]

Rest In ☮️ And Power. #tonimorrison.

[@markol7819]

I love that she questions the question that was posed to her. She is absolutely correct. How gifted we are to have her writings.

[@leedraconis5793]

The white man says “I think you’re importing too much into the question,” to the black woman. What a surprise.

[@mishlake1]

2:31 love when Charlie starts to bumble; Toni Morrison went whoosh...right over his head 😂

[@craigsmith6468]

The individual who asked the dreadful question was basically saying that "black people writing about race comes easily. It's no great feat. When you start writing outside of your circle, THEN you can be critiqued properly." Disturbing.

[@samuelking9497]

Mmm yes...definitely

[@justme2me]

Thank you for posting 🙏🏾

[@meritofapproval]

She HANDLED that... beautifully and succinctly!

[@rosy178]

KNOWLEDGE!!!!!

[@benisturning30]

Haha! Exactly. Toni Morrison exposes the white mindfuck.

[@gfunkin2]

Actually, the fact that Rose didn't get it, but slowly but surely fumbles, bumbles and then shuts up as Morrison continues, suggests that Rose (and millions of others) have been hoodwinked by racism and white supremacy as well.

[@TheJohnGram]

I really liked the integrity with which Morrison holds open the possibility that Moyers' comment was meant innocuously, AND explains her experience of it, and the gravity of the issue.

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

Overrated.

[@derksenmartijn]

Questioning the question, so powerful Toni ❤️

[@AjaMessay2]

I love her

[@FMmantis]

"When will you stop writing about race?" When I hear this question what I hear is "When will you stop writing about something that makes me uncomforable?" Why is it that writing about the experiences of white people is always just seen as the human experience, or simply the norm? But when it comes to POC writing about our experiences it is always seen as racialized? That at the center is the white perspective and experience, and in the background is everyone else's perspective. As an Indigenous man, I remember growing up reading textbooks and how my people were always made to be seen as background characters. That Europeans came here, and yes there were people already here but their stories and their histories don't matter. Dr. Morrison is absolutely right when she says no one would ask that of a white writer, because it would never be asked of a white writer. And I don't agree that she was reading more into the question than was there. Dr. Morrison writes through her own perspective and that of her people, but because that perspective is different from the eurocentric perspective, it is inherently interpreted and seen as racial through the eyes of those who have not had to experience it.

[@parenthesisss]

What a good example of not being aware of every issue but being able to move forward together. She is right in her interpretation of his questions and she took the time to ask, after he became defensive, what it was he actually meant. And then he actually listened with intent.

[@brooklynbabydoll718]

Thank U for posting this and Thank U Toni Morrison, I cherish your words you are beautiful!

[@nikkistahr7105]

May her legacy live on, rest in heaven 🕊

[@SydneyD28-6]

"...the problem of being FREE, to write the way you wish to..." - T.M

[@AlexisKelleyVideo]

She simply nails it every time! I love her and her work so much. When I read her, I am swept away by the writing; there is no question in my mind about white people. Rose handed her his racism on a silver platter and Her Majesty picked up that white tea sandwich and bit right through it. Long live The Queen!

[@williamssister8804]

She brilliantly answered to this question. An epiphany went off in my head, the majority of us live in a white centralized state in America. How freeing it would be to break these chains , as she clearly has done.

[@janicki_attack]

When she asked what does that question mean? I instantly knew he had no MF idea. I am on the same wavelength of thinking as Toni Morrison. My art is whatever I choose to convey and don’t question me as to why my art doesn’t cater to mainstream America. Damn Mainstream America’s views. If you don’t like her literary art don’t read it. Simple.

[@blaqrose4832]

*I love you toni. Luv you so much*

[@vickiewashington1782]

Thankful for Queen Mother Morrison. Her brilliant mind, her beautiful writing, her refusal to subjugate, alter, diminish, and/or accommodate herself to fit prescribed and proscribed parameters 'laid out' for her; and her brave truth-telling at all times.

[@dude3113]

Things Fall Apart!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@dawnelise1528]

I love you Toni Morrison!!

[@Rocioslane]

I absolutely love her explanation

[@marvindavisjr.543]

Rossygrossy witcho ugglass

[@tshenomotlhankana8695]

Thank you mama Toni. We were never represented in literature.

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

Another angry black women.

[@K.YouTube2]

@@BuckyBrown-lt4ry 🧂

[@msdjones30]

Thank you very much Queen 👑

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

Overrated

[@yyyannuuu]

Rose literally gaslights her. Probably accidentally/involuntarily but still yet. I'm amazed how easily it could have derailed the conversation and greatful for her brilliance at redirecting to the point.

[@Kabeyavictoria]

I hated Beloved so much but I love and respect her work so much. She's incredible

[@BrookeAppleton]

Try Sula or The Bluest Eye...awesome reads.

[@JW-dg9gf]

Why did you hate Beloved? Genuinely curious. :)

[@Kabeyavictoria]

@@JW-dg9gf it just didn't make any fk sense to me. I loved HOME more

[@Backatwon]

Always loved her interviews ….respect sister !

[@adhisboucha295]

I would not ask an artist when he is going to paint with more green and less red. What an odd question to ask.

[@ericacampbell3452]

love her response

[@charlietet]

speaking in interview is a performative act. I think this was not the first time this kind of question was posed to Toni Morrison, but in this interview she seems more prepared. to start off, she argues if literary writing is about one's own experience and if her writing is about her experience as a black person constantly reminded of her race, why her writing should be inferior because of her race. then her argument is also that, black people's racial experience is not entirely shaped by white people, or the white gaze; some reviewers just could not see or accept the message that, "white people, we don't think of you that often." Bluest Eye is about how a black little girl's internalized the white perception of beauty, but it's also about how the narrator, another black girl, is embittered by the white gaze. despite that Morrison found the latter attitude more liberating, she is critical of both reactions.

[@josryder7841]

Her Majesty Toni Morrison just CAN NOT BE TOUCHED!! Sheeeesh....she just intellectually TOLD HIM OFF🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

Who would want to touch her?

[@mohsin805]

The is the most profound answer I have heard in response to a question regarding race.

[@janedoe8351]

4:17 She Nails the essence of white supremacy.

[@jimdavis6472]

First time I heard Toni Morrison speak the thing that surprised me the most about her was how sexy her voice is.

[@JW-dg9gf]

Her writing is sensual, too ;)

[@davidblush]

Despite him being charlie 'whatever', he himself did not deserve this elaborately eloquent response from this decadently articulate and intelligent woman

[@tashaj07]

Very well said Toni!