Black literature is taught as sociology, as tolerance, not as a serious, rigorous art form.

— Toni Morrison

Black people are either threats or entertainment.

— Darnell Lamont Walker

But I like my big Afro. I also liked when my hair was longer and relaxed. I’m happy to have choices. They’re mine to make

— Nicola Yoon

Call up the ever-pure, the effulgent and the ever-radiant character of true humanism in yourself and in others, and no racism shall have the power to thrive in such society even for a few seconds.

— Abhijit Naskar

Depression is like being under house arrest, only there is no house.

— Lisa Eley

DNA has memory!

— Isaiah Washington

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Be perfectly okay with being who YOU are. Fully embrace yourself, flaws and all. Love yourself right where you are. Strive to do better, but don’t beat yourself up for every shortcoming that you may have. Be brave in your journey! Hold your head up high, and keep moving forward.

— Stephanie Lahart

Do you know how many men are incarcerated in solitary confinement? About 100,000 on any given day, if my numbers are correct. Do you know how many men commit suicide in The Hole? Very high. Twenty-four hours in a box with no windows can break a man. Some more quickly than others.

— H.L. Sudler

Entering the foyer, Royale already decided that he would thank Shake once more for being by his side at Keen’s recital. But she stunned him by eagerly waiting for him just like old times—on her knees wearing only a collar and a leash.

— S.B. Redd

...forever meant different things to people at different times. They could imagine what infinity looked and felt like as much as they wanted, but could never truly grasp its meaning nor bear its full weight.

— Roy L. Pickering Jr.