Toni Morrison Says Racism Will Be Over When This Happens
With the current uprisings against racial injustices in America, many are wondering what it will take for racism to end. Iconic African-American author Toni Morrison has made some interesting remarks about the deep-rooted issue in a recent interview with The Telegraph.
“People keep saying, 'We need to have a conversation about race,’” she says. “This is the conversation. I want to see a cop shoot a white unarmed teenager in the back,” Morrison continues. “And I want to see a white man convicted for raping a Black woman. Then when you ask me, 'Is it over?’ I will say yes.”
Morrison also spoke on her latest novel, God Help the Child, which is set in modern times and examines how a woman named Bride, who has "blue-black" skin, is treated with resentment by her lighter-skinned mother, Sweetness. The deep wounds of feeling unloved by her mother follows Bride into adulthood. Child abuse is also a theme presented in the story.
Through one of the characters, Morrison explores the weight economics has in the existence of racism. “Race is the classification of a species. And we are the human race, period. But the other thing — the hostility, the racism — is the money-maker. And it also has some emotional satisfaction for people who need it.” She went on to say, “They don’t stop and frisk on Wall Street, which is where they should really go.”
Morrison said she is halfway finished with writing her next novel, which is set in 1946. She also revealed in the interview that she recently began listening to rap music and that Kendrick Lamar in particular is her "new musical crush," The Telegraph write.
Morrison's 11th book, God Help the Child, was released Tuesday.
Follow Natelege Whaley on Twitter: @Natelege_.
BET National News - Keep up to date with breaking news stories from around the nation, including headlines from the hip hop and entertainment world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
(Photo: Francois Durand/Getty Images)
