Spiritual Facts About Toni Morrison, An American Legend
Among book lovers, Toni Morrison was a living legend. Her style introduced elegance, empathy, and the legacy of an African American folklore to American fiction.
She wrote stories for African American people, but her words captured the imagination of creatives, thinkers, and even politicians from all over.
How did a single working mother and descendant of sharecroppers transform her spare time into one of the great bibliographies of English literature? Uncover these 43 inspirational facts about Toni Morrison.
1. Humble Origins, Lofty Legacy
Toni Morrison was born as “Chloe Ardelia Wofford” to a working-class and Black family in Lorain, Ohio on February 18, 1931.
Her father worked odd jobs, including welding, while her mother stayed at home with their four kids (Morrison was second-born) and served as a devoted member of their African Methodist Episcopal Church.
2. The Father of All Trauma
Morrison’s father, George Wofford, witnessed the lynching of his neighbors when he was just 15 years old. Soon after, Wofford moved from Georgia to Ohio in hopes of escaping the violent racism of the deep south. To quote Morrison, “
He never told us that he’d seen bodies. But he had seen them. And that was too traumatic, I think, for him."
3. One of a Kind
Growing up, Morrison was the only black child in her class. According to her, she was also the only child who could read.
4. “A” for Effort
While attending school, Morrison was an eager student who graduated with honors. During her studies, the young girl even studied Latin.
