Optimist, Prisoner of Hope, Cornel West

“I cannot be an optimist but I am a prisoner of hope.” ― Cornel West

Found on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/6176.Cornel_West.

One Thing, Afraid, Caricature, Michelle Obama

"The one thing they knew people were afraid of was the strength of a black woman. So they turned that into a caricature." - former First Lady Michelle Obama at the Essence Festival in New Orleans in Juyl, reflecting on the attacks she faced when her husband was in office.

From Ms. Magazine, Fall 2019 issue, page 6.

Sum Total, Everything, Salman Rushdie

“I am the sum total of everything that went before me, of all I have been seen done, of everything done-to-me. I am everyone everything whose being-in-the-world affected was affected by mine. I am anything that happens after I'm gone which would not have happened if I had not come.” ― Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children

Found on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3299.Salman_Rushdie.

Art, Interest My People, Museums, Elizabeth Catlee

“I try to do art that will interest my people. I'm not trying to impress art critics or to do art for museums. People who run museums are millionaires and they have a whole other idea bout art.” - Elizabeth Catlee, in Washington Post, May 5, 1993

Found in Contemporary Quotations in Black, compiled and edited by Anita King, page 36.

Knowing, Solitary, Art of Loving, Escape, Bell Hooks

“Knowing how to be solitary is central to the art of loving. When we can be alone, we can be with others without using them as a means of escape.” - Bell Hooks

Found on InspiringQuotes at https://www.inspiringquotes.us/author/1212-bell-hooks.

All Else Fails, Go to the Library, Stephen King

“When all else fails, give up and go to the library.” ― Stephen King, 11/22/63

Real Courage, You Know You're Licked, Begin Anyway, Atticus Finch, Harper Lee

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." - (Atticus Finch) ― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Found on Goodreads, at https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3275794-to-kill-a-mockingbird.