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.'
Joy is not the result of getting what you want; it is the way to get what you want. In the deepest sense, joy is what you want.
I don't feel like my money or my success defines me. I've always been very happy just bein' me.
Money doesn't buy happiness, Gytha." "I only wanted to rent it for a few weeks!
If you want to be happy, you have to be happy on purpose. When you wake up, you can't just wait to see what kind of day you'll have. You have to decide what kind of day you'll have.
If I let myself sink into depression, I won't be able to get out. And then I'll be awfully unhappy. I just have to turn my face to the light and walk on. And trust that things will be all right.
Maybe happiness too is a metaphor invented on a day of boredom
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