By Aswad Walker,
The Houston Defender
Nobel laureate and former Texas Southern University faculty member Toni Morrison was recently “forever immortalized” on a stamp honoring her prolific career as an uncompromising, “for the culture” writer, editor, scholar and mentor.
The new stamp was unveiled this month in a tribute at Princeton University, where Morrison taught for almost two decades.
A “who’s who” list of guest speakers shared words of celebration via Zoom, including President Barack Obama, forever First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
Social media users from across the country shared their thoughts on the stamp tribute honoring Morrison, author of must-read classics such as “The Bluest Eye,” “Song of Solomon” and “Beloved,” just to name a few.
“It’s beautiful that Princeton and whoever makes these decisions about who gets placed on stamps chose to honor Toni Morrison [in]such a manner. But, we, as Black people, should not be holding our breath, waiting on others to honor our own,” said Frederika Jamison.
“I’m absolutely loving this. Morrison is my fav author of all time…since my grandma introduced me to her way back in the early 2000s–you know, the olden days. Imma go buy up ALL THE STAMPS, and I don’t even send snail mail!,” said ShaVoncia Quentin.
Others enjoyed the idea of what the stamp means for the culture.
“One of my all-time favorite hip-hop lyrics comes from Public Enemy when Chuck D says ‘Cause I’m Black and I’m proud. I’m ready and hyped ‘cause I’m amped. Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamp,’” said DJ Big Black Afrika. “Well, now we have another one of our heroes on a stamp.”
Though most were overjoyed, some still struggled over whether to see the stamp as a true honor or an attempt to placate African Americans experiencing heightened racial tension in America.
“OMG. It’s so nice to see someone who was not here for the White nationalist bull**** get honored while the country is going through new levels of more White nationalist bull****. Wait a minute,” Cynthia Bowen-Charles wrote. “Maybe it’s not so nice. Maybe this is just one of those ploys to calm us down.”
Bowen-Charles finally decided to just enjoy the moment.
“I’m going to enjoy this little win irregardless, and lift a wine glass in honor of my girl Toni.”
This article was originally published by The Houston Defender.
