Morrison. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Tributes were shared all day on Twittersphere after news of Nobel-winning author Toni Morrison’s death at the age of 88 was announced.
Former President Obama said, “Toni Morrison was a national treasure, as good a storyteller, as captivating, in person as she was on the page. Her writing was a beautiful, meaningful challenge to our conscience and our moral imagination. What a gift to breathe the same air as her, if only for a while.”
Former President Clinton said, “Toni Morrison was a world-class human being. Her words stirred our souls & challenged our consciences to confront injustice, large or small, wherever it exists. How blessed we are that she gave us her gifts. Hillary and I are grateful for her life and the kindness she showed us.”
Cornel West said, “We have lost the greatest novelist of our time – my dearest sister, colleague and teacher, the one and only @ToniMorrison! Words fail at this moment.”
Rep. Elijah E. Cummings said, “My heart is heavy to learn of the passing of Toni Morrison. Her award-winning words brought life to the African-American experience & provided the sometimes hard truths about what it means to be a part of that legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with her family & loved ones.”
Colin Kaepernick said, “The brilliance of Toni Morrison can only be explained by her own words! Rest In Power.”
Ava DuVernay quoted Morrison, “If you look at the world as a brutal game, then you bump into the mystery of the tree-shaped scar. There seems to be such a thing as grace, such a thing as beauty, such a thing as harmony. All of which are wholly free and available to us.” She added, “Your life was our gift, #ToniMorrison.”
Whoopi Goldberg said, “Toni Morrison passed today and there are no words for a brilliant wordsmith, a woman whose roots in our world took, allowed countless millions to a tour worlds unknown. She was power at its best.. a great great woman. She was one for the ages…condolences to her family
R.I.P.”
Mia Farrow quoted Morrison, “In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate.” She added, “Thank you Toni Morrison.”
Author Keith Boykin quoted Morrison, “If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem. And my feeling is white people have a very, very serious problem, and they should start thinking about what they can do about it.” He added, “Rest In Power Toni Morrison.”
Ben Jealous, former NAACP leader said, “Celebrating the ascension of #ToniMorrison. I saw her speak at Oxford once. She schooled young scholars better than anyone I’d ever seen. When one complained about having to go over a page three times to discern its meaning, Toni said ‘That’s why they call it reading, baby!’”
