Toni Morrison: Crash Course Black American History #48

Today, Clint Smith will teach you about the legendary writer Toni Morrison. Morrison is best known for her novels which chronicle the experiences of Black Americans throughout history. She was the first Black American Woman to win a Nobel Prize for Literature.

Want to learn more about Toni Morrison's work? Check out these videos from Crash Course Literature:

VIDEO SOURCES
Michelle Alexander, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (New York: New Press, 2010).
Nellie Y. McKay, ed. Critical Essays on Toni Morrison (Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1988).
Philip Page, Dangerous Freedom: Fusion and Fragmentation in Toni Morrison’s Novels (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1995).
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am. Directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. June 21, 2019.
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[LikelyToBeEatenByAGrue]

She truly was an extraordinary person and writer. She lectured at my university twice while I was there and it remains two of my favorite memories from that time. Such a powerful, insightful, and loving lady.

[kayhanserdar]

The day I read "Beloved" was the day I seriously started reading and researching about Black America and I have not stopped doing so since. Toni Morrison is a legend and "Beloved" a masterpiece. I remember crying the day she left us. Thank you for posting this video.

[angrychickadee]

Toni Morrison's writing was a brutal confrontation to my own biases and I'm forever grateful to her for it

[ElectricKid]

I’ve commented on here since Episode 1. I now teach American History at a community college. I’ve selected 4 videos from this series to be part of extra credit projects for my students that are looking for ways to help their grade. I want them to write about something meaningful. And there’s no other current educational work that compares.

[JaimeNyx]

I still have a lot of Morrison to get through, but Jazz might be have the most intricately crafted diction I've ever had the pleasure of reading. She's absolutely one of the Greats.

[gloryhound]

I'm mixed-race and went through a phase where I'd rejected and outright denied my West African heritage. I was really out there living that outdated "tragic" trope!
When I was assigned "The Bluest Eye" I didn't even want to read it. I'll always be grateful that I did. Mirroring the world that wrongfully discarded Pecola I foolishly dismissed my heritage and Morrison's work. I really thought I'd be happier if I had a smaller nose and "good" hair and light eyes but thanks to Morrison I learned better.
I'd say Toni Morrison changed my life but that's a disservice to her name b/c she changed the world.

[Abstract_CeeJay]

I remember doing a whole project about Toni Morrison in elementary school where everyone else took up Rosa Parks, Malcom X, and MLK Jr.

She truly is and will forever be such a positive influence in my life with what I learned.

[lakrids-pibe]

I'm neither black nor american, but I love this series.

[loravura]

I read The Bluest Eye as in high school. AP Lit. Devastating and difficult, especially at that age, but I'm glad to have read it.

[TheRexisFern]

Thank you for adding in such personal sentiment for a monumental and world-changing person.

[LA]

Clint and all the Complexly team, thank you for making these videos. I'm learning so much and it being delivered with such profundity by Clint really draws my attention in with each video. I can't say I have ever heard of the late Ms. Morrison, but she was clearly a very special person and I'm so glad you got to share a room with her.

[nomaybeyes]

THIS IS THE EPISODE I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR 😫😫😫

[Latnii]

Beloved and Sula were books I was recommended by my high school teacher after we read the bluest eye. It has long since left a large mark on me as a reading and writer myself and I still regard Sula as my favorite novel. She was truly the best of humanity.

[reliablevariable]

My one course that included Songs of Solomon had me update my major to English in college! I really do believe reading the book, not only once, but twice had changed the course of my thinking from observation to being a critical thinker. I've applied that to my life since.

[arcticpopsicle]

Lorain resident here! She actually has an elementary school named after here! It's not one I went to, BUT! It is here! :)

[reginas.]

Thank you for this extremely educational video! This series is teaching me more than school has, and makes my world a lot bigger.

[manufacturedfear]

I read The Bluest Eye during my career in English literature. I was shocked by the story. Everyone should read it to see how far the consequences of social prejudices and aesthetic impositions, especially those related to racial features, can reach.

[oshinko]

This was the first time I'd heard of Clint Smith. I became curious because of a tiny vowel sound at about 00:54
Clint has the lightest ghost of a New Orleanian accent. After noticing that sound, I listened a few more times. There are other clues if you know what to listen for. Awesome material and a captivating narrator.

[rayannab]

I am currently reading Beloved! This was perfect timings. Thanks for all the videos. Especially ones like this.

[AimeeRose]

I adore Toni Morrison’s works. Such a great American talent!! Thank you for this episode!