De Afro-Amerikaanse schrijfster Toni Morrison is op 88-jarige leeftijd overleden. Dankzij bestsellers als Song of Solomon en Beloved won ze als eerste zwarte vrouw de Nobelprijs voor de Literatuur.

In haar boeken had ze het over het leven van zwarte mensen in de Verenigde Staten en begin dit jaar ging een docu over haar leven, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, in première tijdens het Sundance Film Festival.

Haar dood liet ook Hollywood niet onbewogen. Onder meer regisseurs Ava DuVernay en Barry Jenkins brachten een laatste groet aan Morrison op sociale media, alsook actrices Oprah Winfrey en Kerry Washington.

https://twitter.com/ava/status/1158766862831779845

I just assumed Ms. Morrison would live forever. And in so many ways in so many hearts and minds and spirits, she will. pic.twitter.com/jYQSs0DMd6

— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) August 6, 2019

https://www.instagram.com/p/B01OMclhby2/?utm_source=ig_embed

“You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.”
Toni Morrison.

I cannot imagine growing up in a world without her words. I pray you rest In Peace and in Power.
We will celebrate you with endless gratitude and love. Always.

— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) August 6, 2019

https://twitter.com/LenaWaithe/status/1158742404783980544

Her words were like mirrors to our collective souls. Like pillows to cushion the blows. Like mothers to wrap us in love. Like friends to hold our hands and see us through the darkness. #RipToniMorrison ❤ you. May we lift her up in the light of goodness and hold her there.

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) August 6, 2019

#ToniMorrison has died. Just when we most need to hear her voice, she is gone. Thank you for the insights, the stories, and the poetry of your thought that have enriched us all these many years. Lay your burden down.

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) August 6, 2019

Bron: The New York Times, Vulture