I am not ashamed of my grandparents for having been slaves. I am only ashamed of myself for having at one time being ashamed.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author is not ashamed of his grandparents' past as slaves but is ashamed of having been ashamed of them. He recognizes the shame was misplaced.
- In plain terms
- I stopped being ashamed of my family's past slavery.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not feel shame for circumstances you cannot control.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What are you ashamed of?
- Is that shame justified?
Another view
It takes time to overcome internalized societal stigma.
More from Ralph Ellison
Hibernation is a covert preparation for a more overt action.
Permalink to quote #11 If the word has the potency to revive and make us free, it has also the power to blind, imprison, and destroy.
Permalink to quote #13 Good fiction is made of that which is real, and reality is difficult to come by.
Permalink to quote #10
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