Is there a specific quote that stood out? Why do you think it spoke to you?

Is there a specific quote that stood out? Why do you think it spoke to you?

There are numerous quotes in this book that have special meaning to me. I will just mention one by James Baldwin which seems to always be relevant.

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed unless it faced."

"The negro has saved himself and the white man very patronizingly says, I have saved you." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I highlighted many passages as I read the book on my Kindle app. Unfortunately, I can’t copy the text here. But Chapter 14 that listed Black musicians and other entertainers made a big impression on me.

I realized that for most of my life the Black contributions to popular music have influenced cultures all over the world. They have helped to spread American ideas even when the artists making the music still encountered hatred and discrimination. The same can also be said for Black athletes. Where would TV sports shows be without Black football and basketball players?

We will be a better nation when we realize that every citizen’s contributions to the nation are valuable.

I am a big music fan so the passage that Anne C referenced was also one of my favorites and I agree with her opinion. I recently read My Black Country by Alice Randall and was surprised to learn how much African Americans influenced country music but didn’t initially get credit for it.