"Ralph Ellison: An American Journey"

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“Closed societies are now the flimsiest of illusions, for all the outsiders are demanding in.”

“And I knew that it was better to live out one's own absurdity than to die for that of others.”

“And the mind that has conceived a plan of living must never lose sight of the chaos against which that pattern was conceived. That goes for societies as well as for individuals.”

“Let's not play these kids cheap; let's find out what they have that is a strength. What do they have that you can approach and build a bridge upon? Education is all a matter of building bridges, it seems to me.”

“Articles on Ellison at The New York Times”

“The clock ticked with empty urgency, as though trying to catch up with the time. In the street a siren howled.”

Resonant Thoughts

"To all who mourn a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend — I can only offer you the gratitude of a nation, for your loved one served his country with distinction and honor. ... Your men are un…"

— George H. W. Bush

Politics1924–2018

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"I thought it would be lovely to use Noelle as an example to teach the importance of being who you are. For me it's important to inspire children in a positive way, and at times they understand more me…"

— Gloria Estefan

Music1957

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"The only difference is when I do the readings. My fans are out there in full force, but it's nice to have all the kids there as well. I really love this evolution of writing. Writing is my core, and w…"

— Gloria Estefan

Music1957

#family

"We must work assiduously and with determined boldness to remove from the body politic this cancerous disease of discrimination which is preventing our democratic and Christian health from being realiz…"

— Martin Luther King

Social Activism1929–1968

#Human Nature