"…just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else."
Every semester of feature writing, I assign Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah's profile of Toni Morrison. During the ensuing discussion, many of my students learn as much about themselves as they do about her. I love watching them widen their wingspans as writers. https://t.co/hCkuj7nDlm
“Racism will disappear when [it’s] no longer profitable and no longer psychologically useful. When that happens, it’ll be gone” – Toni Morrison Rest in power, Queen. When you see Roxie, give her a kiss. pic.twitter.com/Z1N39Y1xj4
Toni Morrison was more than an acclaimed novelist.
She was, for much of the last quarter-century, a voice of national conscience who spoke with piercing moral clarity about politics, race and cultural change. https://t.co/zwqnrKxPD9
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. pic.twitter.com/ZCSPFCma1F
In the passing of Toni Morrison, we lost one of our greatest voices & storytellers. Holding close those touched by her being & her gift. Her work gave us power, hope & freedom. While our world shines a little less bright today, we know "something that is loved is never lost."
Toni Morrison's powerful writing taught us all new ways to lead, new ways to fight, and reminds us of the humanity in others. As I think about her passing, her words fill me with hope. “Your life is already a miracle of chance waiting for you to shape its destiny.” https://t.co/5fFf7u5DeH
We mourn the passing of author Toni Morrison, winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for fiction for “Beloved,” one of our Books That Shaped America. We honored her with our Lifetime Achievement Award for the Writing of Fiction in 2011. Watch: https://t.co/u3r0jbiJ38#NatBookFestpic.twitter.com/CoViaVBaj5
Today we remember Toni Morrison. From her first novel, "The Bluest Eye," Morrison wrote about the African American experience and issues of exclusion and belonging. She was the first black woman to become a Nobel laureate. 📸: Helen Marcus, @smithsoniannpghttps://t.co/nrVW1hP6Dzpic.twitter.com/NoJsa0bZdp
We are saddened to hear of the passing of American novelist, Toni Morrison. Morrison has written about the African American experience since her first novel, "The Bluest Eye" and would grow critical acclaim. In 1993, she became the first black woman to become a Novel laureate. pic.twitter.com/m0YJKjKA9M
— National Portrait Gallery (@smithsoniannpg) August 6, 2019
Oops! Yes, Nobel* laureate.
— National Portrait Gallery (@smithsoniannpg) August 6, 2019
Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger is calling for universal background checks, raising the gun-purchasing age to 21 and banning high-capacity magazines. https://t.co/eCdwIF6ZS4
This month our @NMAAHC will commemorate those who sought freedom, justice and equality in our nation's darkest times, tracing the struggle toward racial justice from 400 years ago through today. #Jamestown400#APeoplesJourneyhttps://t.co/eA32FFj56M
This year marks the anniversaries of two pivotal moments in United States history. 400 years ago, in 1619, ships arrived in Virginia carrying kidnapped Africans; and 100 years ago this summer that America’s most notorious “race riots” occurred. #Jamestown400#RedSummer100pic.twitter.com/a3Lpun8bru
This month, we commemorate those, often unrecognized martyrs, organizers, and everyday citizens, who sought freedom, justice and equality in the midst of our nation’s darkest times—from the early “slave revolts” to the Black Lives Matter movement. #Jamestown400#RedSummer100pic.twitter.com/7ozL7NLLsG
Uruguay today issued a travel warning to its citizens visting the United States of America, citing “growing violence” fueled by “racism and discrimination” that American “authorities are unable to prevent” due to “indiscriminate” gun ownership. Let that sink in for a minute. pic.twitter.com/M0u6520caL
There is a Toni Morrison documentary IN THEATERS RIGHT NOW called The Pieces I Am. Of course it’s not getting the publicity it should. But it’s a wonderful film filled with her telling her stories. Find it at the smaller cinema near you. pic.twitter.com/pF2xcS6s2w
As the loss of one of America’s most accomplished writers prompts many to feel they haven’t read enough of Toni Morrison’s books, here are some suggestions for where to begin if you find yourself among that category https://t.co/7aCN0ZoTHD
A quick, powerful story I will never, ever forget about #ToniMorrison:
In college I befriended a fellow student I’ll call James. James was Black but had been adopted by a white family and raised in an all white community. I was one of his 1st black friends. At 20.
I was an African American studies minor and convinced James, who was a business major, to take a Black literature class with me to fulfill one of his electives. The first book we read was The Bluest Eye.
I had read it in high school, it’s an amazing text but wasn’t new to me. Some others in the class had read it before too, maybe half of us, but for many folks, it was new. The professor began quizzing us on why the book is considered so seminal.
After a few other comments James raised his hand. He was choking on his words, it was obvious he felt angry and ashamed: “This is the 1st book by a Black person I’ve ever read,” he said quietly, “I didn’t know Black people could write like this.”
The room was the most quiet I have ever heard. This young Black man had made it to college without ever reading a Black author. The other students, Black and white, were silent. The professor was silent. No one knew what to say right then.
James started crying. “I read it twice already,” he muttered softly. About half the room was teared up. To this day it is one of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced in a classroom. The professor pulled us back together and the class went on.
We read Ellison, Hughes, Hurston and others in that class. Years later James told me that class changed his life. It changed how he understood Black people, how he understood America, but most importantly it helped him understand many experiences he had never had language for.
He told me he took The Bluest Eye home to his parents. Asked them why they kept it from him, pleaded w/ them to read it. Used it to try to get them to SEE. That relationship isn’t my story to tell, but thank you Toni Morrison for helping my friend & many others to see themselves.
Bryan Dawson
@BryanDawsonUSA
·
16h
Not only can HE “shoot someone and not lose any voters,” his minions can shoot hundreds of people and he won’t lose any voters.
Our nation is deeply sick. The Fox News infection may be an incurable plague.
"What Toni Morrison did, and what she directs us to continue to do, is articulate the truth of America’s amniotic fluid" —@DamonYoungVSBhttps://t.co/aGTbBZtzHH
Toni Morrison, who died Monday at age 88 and was the first African American to win the Nobel Prize for literature, wrote 11 novels that especially focused on life as a Black American, plus numerous essays, poems and speeches pic.twitter.com/bPruh1Rwns
The country will look to El Paso for how we choose to overcome this. We will not be defined or divided by our differences. We will meet this weakness, fear, and intolerance with our love, our courage, and our strength. pic.twitter.com/Oq52w3wnMq
The quote: "The House’s impeachment power is an express authority whose exercise does not require a connection to valid legislation. But the Committee has asserted neither jurisdiction over, nor an objective of pursuing, impeachment, and its counsel expressly disavowed that end."
Reps Escobar and Annello have asked Trump NOT to visit El Paso.
Congresswoman Escobar:
“”Words have consequences,” she added. “And the president has made my community and my people the enemy. He has told the country that we are people to be feared — people to be hated.”
No one WON the Civil War. It's being fought every day by folk who will NEVER accept anyone as American unless their skin is white. #Putin has leveraged those FACTS to destroy us.
Structured “Debate” is Not Beto O’Rourke’s forte.
But spontaneity is. He’s wonderful at speaking his mind when there’s No structure. I get that. He’s an artist, musically inclined. I love his way of defending and speaking up for his El Paso, TX and USA.
We are in a danger zone. He uses ‘Acting’ officials so he can choose people with the same toxic thinking. They think they are accountable to HIM.
There are reasons the Constitution requires the president get the Senate’s approval for key appointees. One is insuring their loyalty is to the country, not to the president personally. We are in a danger zone. https://t.co/sPpPOgHxyE
Of course they did. These are the swamp dwellers and conspiracy theorists. We must vote in elected officials that believe in facts and justice for all. Once and for all!
NEW — The Trump campaign released an ad with clear, noticeable QAnon signs in ithttps://t.co/8lqCiQ71Yb
So, just so I have this right, some of y'all are mad that @JoaquinCastrotx shared already publicly available information about some folks' support of a man who uses the White House to incite violence against American citizens, the Latinx community, and his own co-workers?
"White supremacy has always been a problem in our American story."
Sen. Cory Booker says "We need to be honest about not just who we are, but who we have been" in a speech at the Mother Emanuel AME Church where nine worshipers were killed in 2015. https://t.co/eNK9jym9fUpic.twitter.com/edkAOWgOqj
See the outwardly demonstrative MAGAs don't bother me. Never have.
It's them Dockers wearing, suburbs living, always bringing something to the pot luck, smile in your face while voting to make America great again motherfuckers you gotta watch
The donor info is public and if you are big and bad enough to write a check for the max to support Donald Trump's agenda why can't you be big and bad enough to be proud of that shit? Own your support of MAGA!
GOP Bill Weld: “Trump is a raging racist”.
Trump says: “Too busy” to speak to Rep. Escobar on the phone.
–Pence stay on your knees because we’re coming for you too.
Dudette (@Dudette9t9) Tweeted:
@Karnythia Pretty sure I read dude was out on probation for another assault. Seems like this one should immediately put him back in jail. Oh wait, that would mean we had a working justice system that makes sense. Never mind. https://twitter.com/Dudette9t9/status/1159140133431648256?s=17
Hoping we’ll work hard to bring/restore respect for ALL children in this country asap. Benito openly and unapologetically trashing them, not even acknowledging the death and suffering his is personally causing on the border.
“Terrific” Photo Op for the Racist Monster in the WH:
Trump: ““We’re going to Dayton first and then we’re going to El Paso, and we’ll be meeting with first responders, law enforcement, some of the victims and paying my respects and regards. I’ll be going with the first lady. It’s a terrific opportunity, really, to congratulate some of the police and law enforcement. The job they’ve done is incredible. Really incredible.”
—Trump is living inside a FICTION he creates moment to moment.
—How about us?
No one was targeted or harassed in my post. You know that. All that info is routinely published.
You’re trying to distract from the racism that has overtaken the GOP and the fact that President Trump spends donor money on thousands of ads about Hispanics “invading” America. 1/2 https://t.co/TwUDC4m5tO
Senator Brown on O’Donnell last night said he’ll accompany Trump to El Paso and press him
on passing gun legislation. He also said that Trump visiting El Paso where he is not wanted:
“Will rub salt in the wounds.”
Shouldn’t they be putting all the pressure on Mcconnell and the republicans in the Senate. There’s a bill that already passed in the House sitting on his desk since February.
Making members of our country LESS SAFE! On PURPOSE.
Putting Latinos in mortal danger and the grip of fear is more than just a humanitarian outrage. It is what the U.S. Constitution calls a “high Crime” against the United States, for which, upon conviction, a “President . . . shall be removed from Office.” https://t.co/8puIOh3c2Q
FACT: GOP passed H.J. Res 40 in February 2017…
It revoked the Obama regulation which made it harder for mentally challenged people to buy a gun.
Now Trump has the gall to blame mental illness (which is factually 3% to blame for gun violence).
After he has spent the last 2 years trying to obliterate health care including mental health care.
Journalists must repeatedly ask him about it on camera.
The NRA wish list along with pink and blue guns for every boy and girl:
👏🏼Crowds gather outside a hospital in Dayton, Ohio, where Trump is set to visit, holding up an inflatable "baby Trump" balloon & signs that say "do something," "no gun no trigger," & "go back where you came from"! Via ABC h/t Deena Zaru pic.twitter.com/FdKxl5DM8N
Nerdy Wonka:
(trying not to ask.) Having visual trouble with the matching color comment box. For example mouse cursor disappears into the magic cloak of invisibility. Can anything be done to make the comment box grey again?
Thank you for all your work!
George Washington established the Purple Heart on this day in 1782. Today, the medal is awarded to U.S. military personnel killed or wounded in the line of duty. #PurpleHeartDaypic.twitter.com/uCfzbmVGno
My post was a lament – that so many people in my overwhelmingly Hispanic hometown would give large money to a President who is using it to target Hispanics as ‘invaders’.
BREAKING: Pedro Pierluisi, the man who was appointed Puerto Rico’s governor last week amid unprecedented political turmoil, will have to step down, the island’s Supreme Court ruled. https://t.co/seEaiWE4sW
Nothing Divides Voters Like Owning a Gun: This is a huge element of America's polarization https://t.co/BatJd0dMgv via @UpshotNYT One challenge for the GOP is that over time, fewer households own guns.
Once again, again,
Bristol Bay Alaska the world’s greatest provider of sockeye salmon, is at risk due to greed and corporate evil.
America: If you like sockeye salmon the Source is here.
One drop of copper in the water messes up the salmon and you can wave your salmon dinner bye bye.
(Presumably Trump eats something besides cheese burgers, or at least his family members do.)
President Obama worked hard to protect Bristol Bay: Trump’s EPA is trying to undo his 2014 limitations.
There is currently an official hundred-page criticism of Trump’s hokey attempt to fast-track.
“The proposed Pebble Mine would directly impact the world’s greatest sockeye salmon run, putting in jeopardy thousands of American jobs, a cultural tradition of subsistence dating back 10,000 years, and a robust sport-fishing and tourism economy.
In a climate shaped by the Trump administration’s coziness with polluting industries, the company behind Pebble Mine is trying to sneak a permit through Clean Water Act regulations with the dubious promise of sticking to what it views as a “small” mine. Yet even as proposed, the project entails mining a pit over a mile long, a mile wide and 200 meters deep, destroying nearly 3,500 acres of wetlands, lakes, and ponds and 81 miles of salmon streams….” (more)
fragmhttps://earthjustice.org/features/alaska-s-bristol-bay-the-pebble-mine
Putin Party Kochies and big Oil are going after Alaska EVERY possible which way,
tying residents’ hands and turning it into an environmental, economic nightmare and libertarian free-for-all.
–The ‘Pebble (copper) Mine” has been trying it on since the 1980’s.
–Pls say No.
Smart people with something to say: “CNN Eyes All-black Opinion Show for April Ryan, Bakari Sellers, Angela Rye, Andrew Gillum” https://t.co/ePkM0YiPYc
I have a 10-year-old daughter. Like all Latino kids, I want her to grow up proud of who she is and comfortable in her own brown skin. She's an American.⁰⁰
Trump's rhetoric of Latinos as the "other" is dangerous and doesn't belong in this country. pic.twitter.com/EaAbBb3cvF
Thank you well said by Mr. Cilizza and helpful.
However I for one want to see:
ALL THE DIRT on Trumpsky’s crimes
Displayed on TV screens
ACROSS AMERICA.
214 House Dems wrote to @senatemajldr today demanding he call the Senate back into session to pass bipartisan background check bills sent by the House in February. Senator McConnell: if you refuse to lead, at least have the decency to get out of the way before more Americans die. pic.twitter.com/g5WoaZDJy7
The Obama Diary 
❤️
RIP, Lioness of Literature. Your voice and words will always teach us to be better than we thought.
❤️💔❤️
Her words have said it all. She is a beautiful soul.
Good Afternoon.
Great Thread, NW, Obrigada.
Ms. Toni Morrison:
RESPECTED. Beloved. Talented.
She will be Missed.
🙏🕯🕯🕯🙏
Toni Morrison’s 2008 letter to Senator Barack Obama
A 2018 letter from Toni Morrison to Queens Public Library
Her words touch me deeply. Tears that she is no longer with us. We still need her truth.
A Republican. Progress.
Thank you Nerdy for celebrating the wonderful life and gifts of Toni Morrison. She will live on in the reading and sharing of her books.
“Rest well, thy good and faithful servant”, sayeth the Lord.
I’m going!
Thank you! I’m going, too!
This story broke me. 😭
Bryan Dawson
@BryanDawsonUSA
·
16h
Not only can HE “shoot someone and not lose any voters,” his minions can shoot hundreds of people and he won’t lose any voters.
Our nation is deeply sick. The Fox News infection may be an incurable plague.
Forgive me if this quote has already been posted, but I love it.
Thank you Nerdy and all of you for this amazing thread honing Tone Morrison.
That should be honoring.
This is a very, very beautiful message.
Yes, and he’s helping so very many people get through this, by his words.
Beauty! Thanks for sharing.
So much sorrow
“Trump campaign still owes El Paso nearly half a million dollars for February rally.” (Salon)
= $569,204.63
When did Trumpsky ever pay his bills?
Reps Escobar and Annello have asked Trump NOT to visit El Paso.
Congresswoman Escobar:
“”Words have consequences,” she added. “And the president has made my community and my people the enemy. He has told the country that we are people to be feared — people to be hated.”
MOSCOW MITCH:
Please call him out every hour of every day until he is toast. This MM tag is ringing a bell.
MASSACRE MITCH:
Refuses to put HR8 on the floor:
After 100 dead in 5 days, and 255 massacres this year.
Read some of the responses – I know who came to my mind first!
Goodnight TOD ….
Morning everyone. Life isn’t fair. I asked myself this morning why someone like Toni Morrison is gone and he’s still here. It’s backwards.
Good Morning, Beloved TOD Town Hall.
Truly appreciative of the work NW has done in safe keeping this Blog Post.
It’s Hot Wednesday in MN.
😍😍😍🙏😍😍😍
Co-sign! Thank you Nerdy Wonka!
Read them all. Share. Is this who we want to be? I sure don’t.
😞
Truly awful
Structured “Debate” is Not Beto O’Rourke’s forte.
But spontaneity is. He’s wonderful at speaking his mind when there’s No structure. I get that. He’s an artist, musically inclined. I love his way of defending and speaking up for his El Paso, TX and USA.
We are in a danger zone. He uses ‘Acting’ officials so he can choose people with the same toxic thinking. They think they are accountable to HIM.
Of course they did. These are the swamp dwellers and conspiracy theorists. We must vote in elected officials that believe in facts and justice for all. Once and for all!
Good Morning Family!
Just sharing something beautiful. I hope your day is beautiful!
Thanks for this:) mesmerizing and share worthy
👍🏾
Thank you Rep. Joaquin Castro! You want to support racists, then speak with your fkin chest!
🙌🏾
Because we need to laugh 😂
GOP Bill Weld: “Trump is a raging racist”.
Trump says: “Too busy” to speak to Rep. Escobar on the phone.
–Pence stay on your knees because we’re coming for you too.
Ok, now that was FUNNY! 😆
Dudette (@Dudette9t9) Tweeted:
@Karnythia Pretty sure I read dude was out on probation for another assault. Seems like this one should immediately put him back in jail. Oh wait, that would mean we had a working justice system that makes sense. Never mind. https://twitter.com/Dudette9t9/status/1159140133431648256?s=17
Hoping we’ll work hard to bring/restore respect for ALL children in this country asap. Benito openly and unapologetically trashing them, not even acknowledging the death and suffering his is personally causing on the border.
“Terrific” Photo Op for the Racist Monster in the WH:
Trump: ““We’re going to Dayton first and then we’re going to El Paso, and we’ll be meeting with first responders, law enforcement, some of the victims and paying my respects and regards. I’ll be going with the first lady. It’s a terrific opportunity, really, to congratulate some of the police and law enforcement. The job they’ve done is incredible. Really incredible.”
—Trump is living inside a FICTION he creates moment to moment.
—How about us?
Senator Brown on O’Donnell last night said he’ll accompany Trump to El Paso and press him
on passing gun legislation. He also said that Trump visiting El Paso where he is not wanted:
“Will rub salt in the wounds.”
I thought he said accompany him to Dayton and talk about those issues
Yes, Dayton, not El Paso. Plans on being very direct in his questions, comments and recommendations.
yes Dayton. thanks. my mistake.
Senator Sherrod Brown is great.
Senator Brown maybe you just want to ride on AF-1, because you know that you can not trust a word Trump says. Trump and Melania should have stay home,
GOP Reps DeWine and Turner, and Lt Gov Husted say they want action on gun legislation:
“In the wake of a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, that left nine people dead, three of Ohio’s most prominent Republicans have called for immediate legislative action to reduce gun violence.”
(https://thinkprogress.org/nra-backed-ohio-republicans-call-for-action-on-gun-violence-dayton-mass-shooting-bc1ab4584858/)
Shouldn’t they be putting all the pressure on Mcconnell and the republicans in the Senate. There’s a bill that already passed in the House sitting on his desk since February.
Thread. Dear god
Thank you for posting this tweet. I was alarmed at reading it. This info should be spread.
Making members of our country LESS SAFE! On PURPOSE.
FACT: GOP passed H.J. Res 40 in February 2017…
It revoked the Obama regulation which made it harder for mentally challenged people to buy a gun.
Now Trump has the gall to blame mental illness (which is factually 3% to blame for gun violence).
After he has spent the last 2 years trying to obliterate health care including mental health care.
Journalists must repeatedly ask him about it on camera.
The NRA wish list along with pink and blue guns for every boy and girl:
On the NRA wish list: Pink and blue guns for boys and girls.
Check! They’ve already done that.
Nerdy Wonka:
(trying not to ask.) Having visual trouble with the matching color comment box. For example mouse cursor disappears into the magic cloak of invisibility. Can anything be done to make the comment box grey again?
Thank you for all your work!
ohhh myyy goodness….
is there a report of another shooting…this time in VA…
They are saying that It’s a false report, Per Susan Page…..She works for USA TODAY
thank God…how much more of this can we take…
False Alarm….Thank God….
i can’t take much more of this
Once again, again,
Bristol Bay Alaska the world’s greatest provider of sockeye salmon, is at risk due to greed and corporate evil.
America: If you like sockeye salmon the Source is here.
One drop of copper in the water messes up the salmon and you can wave your salmon dinner bye bye.
(Presumably Trump eats something besides cheese burgers, or at least his family members do.)
President Obama worked hard to protect Bristol Bay: Trump’s EPA is trying to undo his 2014 limitations.
There is currently an official hundred-page criticism of Trump’s hokey attempt to fast-track.
“The proposed Pebble Mine would directly impact the world’s greatest sockeye salmon run, putting in jeopardy thousands of American jobs, a cultural tradition of subsistence dating back 10,000 years, and a robust sport-fishing and tourism economy.
In a climate shaped by the Trump administration’s coziness with polluting industries, the company behind Pebble Mine is trying to sneak a permit through Clean Water Act regulations with the dubious promise of sticking to what it views as a “small” mine. Yet even as proposed, the project entails mining a pit over a mile long, a mile wide and 200 meters deep, destroying nearly 3,500 acres of wetlands, lakes, and ponds and 81 miles of salmon streams….” (more)
fragmhttps://earthjustice.org/features/alaska-s-bristol-bay-the-pebble-mine
Putin Party Kochies and big Oil are going after Alaska EVERY possible which way,
tying residents’ hands and turning it into an environmental, economic nightmare and libertarian free-for-all.
–The ‘Pebble (copper) Mine” has been trying it on since the 1980’s.
–Pls say No.
SOON – Beto O’Rourke attends #ElPasoStrong community event – https://abcnews.go.com/Live/video/speciaL-live-7
Just as the Orange Fascist arrives. BRILLIANT!!
SOON – Joe Biden attends event in Burlington, Iowa – https://abcnews.go.com/Live/video/speciaL-live-8
It’s about TIME!! So so so sick of the privileged white man paradigm sharing their warped opinions.
It is; however, watch them put it on at 10 am on Saturday to counter-program AM Joy…
The destruction to this country is incalculable.
My President represented everyone in our nation. He respected everyone.
This is how a President gets impeached. Dems do not have the necessary 67 votes in the Senate to impeach.
Thank you well said by Mr. Cilizza and helpful.
However I for one want to see:
ALL THE DIRT on Trumpsky’s crimes
Displayed on TV screens
ACROSS AMERICA.
Requires following the Impeachent Enquiry path….
Why bother with the Senate?
Surely we can figure this out.
New post.
https://obamadiary.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/the-complexity-of-inequality/
Wow!