Dance is bigger than the physical body. When you extend your arm, it doesn't stop at the end of your fingers, because you're dancing bigger than that; you're dancing spirit.
Judith JamisonRead
Being a Negro writer these days is a racket and I'm going to make the most of it while it lasts. About twice a year I sell a story. It is acclaimed. I am a genius in the making. Thank God for this Negro literary renaissance. Long may it flourish
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the challenges and opportunities of being a Black writer, emphasizing the temporary nature of success within a cultural renaissance.
Wallace Thurman's quote highlights the complex experience of being a Black writer in a time of cultural awakening. He recognizes the struggles and limitations inherent in his situation, while simultaneously celebrating his own successes and the broader movement of Negro literature. It suggests awareness of the fleeting nature of opportunity in the artistic world and a determination to make the most of it during a significant cultural period.
Themes
WriterNegroLiteratureRenaissanceSuccessStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a lecture on the significance of the Harlem Renaissance.
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