Celebrities are sharing beautiful Toni Morrison quotes to honor her memory

Celebrated author Toni Morrison has died at the age of 88. Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel “Beloved” in 1988. She also became the first black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993. She received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2012.

Prior to her writing career, she worked as a professor, teaching at Texas Southern University and Howard University (her alma mater). She then became an editor for Random House. Her first book, “The Bluest Eye,” was published in 1970. Her work focused on the African-American experience.

“She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother and aunt who reveled in being with her family and friends,” her family said in a statement. “The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing. Although her passing represents a tremendous loss, we are grateful she had a long, well-lived life.”

Her publisher, Alfred A. Knopf, announced her death on Twitter with a quote from the author:

In the wake of her death, some of her famous fans have also taken to social media to share some of the author’s most inspiring quotes.

Actor Mia Farrow shared a quote from the author on race along with a photo of the two together:

“In this country American means white. Everybody else has to hyphenate,” reads the quote. “Thank you Toni Morrison,” Farrow added.

Rapper Common shared a quote on the role of artists in society in tribute to the late author:

“In times of dread, artists must never remain silent,” reads the quote. “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That’s how civilizations heal.”

Musician Lenny Kravitz shared Morrison’s wisdom about the nature of racism:

“Racism will disappear when it [it’s] no longer profitable and no longer psychologically useful,” she said. “When that happens, it’ll be gone.”

“Rest in power, Queen,” Kravitz wrote. Speaking of his mother, Roxie Roker of “The Jeffersons,” who died in 1995, he added, “When you see Roxie, give her a kiss.”

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke about the influence Morrison’s work has had and shared one of her inspirational quotes:

“Toni Morrison’s powerful writing taught us all new ways to lead, new ways to fight, and reminds us of the humanity in others,” Warren wrote. “As I think about her passing, her words fill me with hope.”

She shared the following quote from the author: “Your life is already a miracle of chance waiting for you to shape its destiny.”

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay said about Morrison, “Your life was our gift”:

“If you look at the world as a brutal game, then you bump into the mystery of the tree-shaped scar,” DuVernay quoted. “There seems to be such a thing as grace, such a thing as beauty, such a thing as harmony. All of which are wholly free and available to us.”

A leading light has been extinguished. Condolences to Morrison’s friends and family, and to all who have found enlightenment and solace through her work.