Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni, Jr. Quotes
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If now isn't a good time for the truth I don't see when we'll get to it.
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We black women are the single group in the West intact. And anybody can see we're pretty shaky. We are, however (all praises), the only group that derives its identity from itself.
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BEFORE YOU JUMP OFF A BRIDGE OR HANG YOURSELF OR BE UNHAPPY PLEASE CONSIDER: LIVE FOR YOURSELF; THOSE WHO HATE YOU HAVE NO PURCHASE
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We have a world to conquer...one person at a time...starting with ourselves.
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Most of my books are a two-year project. I tend to follow my heart and my mind and research materials where they take me.
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Poets can tell the truth as they see it. It’s the author’s story, the author’s voice.
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If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first, but definitely the command key is my second choice.
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I’m a big fan of history—applying the lessons as well as the joys and sadness. If we pay attention, we would see how we affect each other. In terms of time, we are not that far from one another. If we were to look back a century, it would seem like a long time; but, if we look at it by decades then it’s only 10 years, and by generations it’s only five.
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There is no such thing as writer's block. There is only not enough information. If you can't write, learn something.
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We need to make sure our children travel to see things. Not necessarily long distances but at least out of the neighborhood. On a train. A boat. An airplane.
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You must be unintimidated by your own thoughts.
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All systems require myths for their longevity.
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I try to impress upon my students the importance of looking, listening... paying attention, in other words. You must pay attention.
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There are some things we do simply because the doing is a success.
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Black Poetry is not for Black People...it is for everybody
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Being Black and poor is, I think, radically different from being anything else and poor. Poor, to most Blacks, is a state of mind. Those who accept it are poor; those who struggle are middle class.
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We are better than we think and not yet what we want to be.
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My main strength as a young writer was that I had no fear of making mistakes. I knew I would and I knew I could and would learn from them.
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And you will understand all too soon That you, my children of battle, are your heroes
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If I can't do what I want to do, then my job is to not do what I want to do. It's not the same thing, but it's the best thing I can do.
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I really don't think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don't mind the failure but I can't imagine that I'd forgive myself if I didn't try.
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I always like summer best
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Favorite poems are like favorite children. We definitely have them but we never tell as the others would have their feelings hurt.
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Life is a marvelous, transitory adventure.