James Weldon Johnson Quotes & Sayings (Page 3)

“Washington shows the Negro not only at his best, but also at his worst.”

“And so for a couple of years my life was divided between my music and my school books.”

“My mother was kept very busy with her sewing; sometimes she would have another woman helping her.”

“In Berlin I especially enjoyed the orchestral concerts, and I attended a large number of them. I formed the acquaintance of a good many musicians, several of whom spoke of my playing in high terms.”

“I believe it to be a fact that the colored people of this country know and understand the white people better than the white people know and understand them.”

“My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime, which was then at the height of its vogue, made me a welcome guest.”

“Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race; through a sense of justice, charity, and philanthropy, they will liberally assist in his elevation.”

“Americans are immensely popular in Paris; and this is not due solely to the fact that they spend lots of money there, for they spend just as much or more in London, and in the latter city they are merely tolerated because they do spend.”

“I do not see how a people that can find in its conscience any excuse whatever for slowly burning to death a human being, or for tolerating such an act, can be entrusted with the salvation of a race.”

“Shortly after this I was made a member of the boys' choir, it being found that I possessed a clear, strong soprano voice. I enjoyed the singing very much.”