I find, in being black, a thing of beauty: a joy; a strength; a secret cup of gladness.
Interpretation
This quote expresses pride and joy in one's identity and heritage.
Ossie Davis highlights the intrinsic beauty and strength found in being black, suggesting that this identity brings a unique joy and an inner gladness that can be both a source of strength and a celebratory secret. It speaks to the resilience and positivity that can arise from embracing one's cultural identity.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech celebrating cultural diversity.
Here - at this final hour, Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes - extinguished now, and gone from us forever.... Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain - and we will smile. ...We will answer and say unto them, βDid you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever really listen to him? ...For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him.'
Children are happy because they don't have a file in their minds called "All the Things That Could Go Wrong.
To enjoy anything, we cannot be attached to it... What we usually try to do is capture any joy that comes our way before it can escape... We try to cling to pleasure, but all we succeed in doing is making ourselves frustrated because, whatever it promises, pleasure simply cannot last. But if I am willing to kiss the joy as it flies, I say, "Yes, this moment is beautiful. I won't grab it. I'll let it go."
Perhaps it's because I appreciate all I have so much that I don't worry about what I haven't got.
I would challenge anybody in their darkest moment to write what they're grateful for, even stupid little things like the green grass that made them feel good, the friendly conversation they had with somebody on an alevator. You start to realize how rich you are.
I count my blessings far more than I count my money.
Industry, commerce and security are the surest roads to the happiness and prosperity of people.
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