TONI MORRISON: THE PIECES I AM. From her childhood in the steel town of Lorain, Ohio to ‘70s-era book tours with Muhammad Ali, from the front lines with Angela Davis to her own riverfront writing room, Toni leads an exploration of race, America, history and the human condition.
— Read on www.tonimorrisonfilm.com/videos/
Giving publicity to a white supremacist isn’t something I do lightly, but right now, ignoring him seems more dangerous, writes Guardian columnist Gary Younge
— Read on www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/08/interviewing-richard-spencer-white-supremacist
I remembered once running into Mr Gunnar Myrdal during my stint as an orderly at a hospital. This was in the early 70s. I recalled Mr Myrdal asking me if I encountered racism in Sweden. I considered the question interesting. I said that I hadn’t come across any racism in Sweden. He didn’t believe me, judging by his irritation. Evidently, Mr Myrdal didn’t believe me. And how could I blame him? I wasn’t honest. This encounter was during my filtration with Black Power politics.

It was enormously influential in how racial issues were viewed in the United States, and it was cited in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case “in general”. The book was generally positive in its outlook on the future of race relations in America, taking the view that democracy would triumph over racism. In many ways it laid the groundwork for future policies of racial integration and affirmative action.[1]

… Myrdal’s encyclopedic study covers every aspect of black-white relations in the United States up to his time. He frankly concluded that the “Negro problem” is a “white man’s problem”. That is, whites as a collective were responsible for the disadvantageous situation in which blacks were trapped …
– Wikipedia
Why have Republican leaders abandoned their principles in support of an immoral and dangerous president?
— Read on www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/07/trumps-collaborators/612250/
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LGT41: After the little woman in a red hat asked him “Are you okay?” And his reply: “No I’m not. I’m going to have a good cry in my car. I have to go teach.” Which was when my tears welled up…
Olga’s Customer Review
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019
Such a deep understanding of human nature on every page!
This is the book of life and love, of friendship and loneliness, of hope and despair and a lot more! While reading, I am always trying to imagine what the ending will be: this time I haven’t come even close.
Lawrence G. Taylor has created his novel in that amazing style, that one simply wonders how writing could have ever been this great! I was impressed that this fascinating read could evoke such warm memories and feelings in me.
To develop the story of the relationship of Benji, the 40-year-old Caribbean gardener, and Angelica, whose affection he is desperately trying to win, the author uses simple but so greatly chosen details that speak a lot about characters and events. Benji’s love for jazz, the way he compares his beloved woman to actress Dorothy Dandrige, and many more things help to create a picture that is so easy to visualize.
I was stunned by Benji’s analogy of human beauty when he compared it with “fresh flowers in a vase” – the metaphor was used in an unexpected way. However, my favorite thought from the book is: “It’s not the thing itself, but how we understand it that affects us emotionally.” So simple, yet so true!
The picturesque characters of Benji’s friend Monica, Angelica’s ex-lover Ram-Paul and numerous flash-backs just add miraculously to the whole narrative, leaving a great after-feeling of reading a true life story. The author managed to convey such a deep understanding of human nature – both man and woman – on every page of his book.
I recommend this book to everyone! Reading it was like looking inside of oneself and experiencing different feelings through the masterfully crafted characters and story.
