MJ

“I knew that some victims of powerful self-loathing turn out to be dangerous, violent, reproducing the enemy who has humiliated them over and over. Others surrender their identity; melt into a structure that delivers the strong persona they lack. Most others, however, grow beyond it. But there are some who collapse, silently, anonymously, with no voice to express or acknowledge it. They are invisible. The death of self-esteem can occur quickly, easily in children, before their ego has “legs,” so to speak. Couple the vulnerability of youth with indifferent parents, dismissive adults, and a world, which, in its language, laws, and images, re-enforces despair, and the journey to destruction is sealed.”
― Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

“You can't be the rock and the river, Sam."
"The rock is high ground...Solid. Immovable."
"The river is motion, turmoil, rage. As the river flows, it wonders what it would be like to be so still, to take breath, to rest. But the rock will always wonder what lies around the bend in the stream."
"I want to be both," I whispered.”
― Kekla Magoon, The Rock and the River

“The death of self-esteem can occur quickly, easily in children, before their ego has “legs,” so to speak. Couple the vulnerability of youth with indifferent parents, dismissive adults, and a world, which, in its language, laws, and images, re-enforces despair, and the journey to destruction is sealed.”
― Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

“and in the soil
of his being,
a soul is planted
bearing the fruits
of his masterpiece”
― Ali Nuri, Rain and Embers