Gratitude

Passages

Every passage tagged with this emotion in the Vela corpus. Search the body text, narrow by source or register, click through to a book’s profile to see how the passage sits with the rest of the work.

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• From Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women (2017)

  Thank you to Martha Jones for affirming the necessity of tangling with the vaunted ideas of the “big boys.” Thank you to each blind reviewer who read the manuscript and gave thoughtful comments that have assuredly made the book stronger. I appreciate Larin McLaughlin for believing in this book when it was in proposal format and for ultimately bringing it to the University of Illinois Press. And thank you Dawn Durante for being a wonderful editor and advocate for this book, for diligently guiding me through the process, and for being patient with me during my many freak-outs along the way. An earlier version of the information in the prologue was published as “Ain’t I A Lady?: Race Women, Michelle Obama, and the Ever-Expanding Democratic Imagination.” Thank you to the Journal of Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States (MELUS) and to Oxford University Press for permission to include this material. And thank you to the dedicated staff members at the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at my alma mater Howard University. One of the things I know for sure is that I have one of the baddest crews of homegirls to ever exist. Most of them also happen to be academics. And all of them are brilliance and BlackGirlMagic personified. Susana Morris, my Wonder Twin and CF, thank you for answering every distressed phone call, reading multiple drafts of this book, and talking me off the ledge all the time. (Sag Dance.) Robin Boylorn, my “bae” and CF, I am so glad for our friendship, for the ways you hold me down, for all the counsel, prayers, and encouragement. And to all the ladies of the CFC—Rachel Raimist, Sheri Davis-Faulkner, Eesha Pandit, Chanel Craft-Tanner, and Crunkista—I love y’all. This life is so much better because we get to do this work together. Treva B. Lindsey, I feel like we wrote these books together. Thank you for being a confidante, an ally, a mentor, a strategist, a formidable interlocutor, and one of the realest homegirls I have. And to all of the rest of the Pleasure Ninjas—Joan Morgan, Yaba Blay, Esther Armah, Kaila Story—this work has been delightful because I have had the sublime pleasure of doing it with you. Kristie Dotson, when I met you, I made sense to myself and my book made sense to me. Thank you for doctoring on it till it shines. Your deft hand and critical eye made all the difference. Special thanks also to Theri Pickens. Thank you to my Up North Crew of Down South Girls—Shatema Threadcraft (my Harriet) and Melanye Price (my road dog). Thank you to my Philly Crew, Pastor Leslie Callahan, Charisse Tucker, and Bella. Thank you to my Now-Jersey girls, Theresa Thames and Candice Benbow. Thanks to Tanisha Ford and Jessica Johnson (D.O.L.s). And thank you to Raydell Gomez.

• From Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women (2017)

  Crystal Faison, clearly we’ve been friends for more than one lifetime. Thanks for being there since the beginning. Erica Hill, thank you and Lorenzo for letting me crash every time I have needed a place and for every pep talk and prayer. Those who know me know I am a Southern girl, born and raised. The women I write for are the women who raised me. This book is for my Grandmother Louvenia Cooper, my Aunties Colleen, Linda, and Geraldine, my uncle Barry, my many cousins, including Brandon and Courtney, Chad and Sterling, Kasey and Brandy, for my nieces and nephews, and all the rest. It is for the Edmonds family, including my Big Mama Geneva Edmonds. It is for my step-dad, the Reverend. But more than all of them, it is for my mom, Debbie Cooper Hicks. Thank you for every bedtime story, Baby-Sitters Club book, and insistent conversation about the proper pronunciation of words in the English language. Thank you for first encouraging me to write and for typing my stories. All that I am today began with seeds you planted. Thanks be to God almighty for keeping me. To any one I have forgotten, please charge it to my head and not my heart. Beyond Respectability

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  4 To Him who alone does great wonders, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 5 To Him who made the heavens with skill, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 6 To Him who stretched out the earth upon the waters, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 7 To Him who made the great lights, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 8 The sun to rule over the day, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 9 The moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 10 To Him who struck the firstborn of Egypt, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Ex 12:29 ] 11 And brought Israel out from among them, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Ex 12:51 ; 13:3 , 17 ] 12 With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 13 To Him who divided the b Red Sea into parts, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Ex 14:21 , 22 ] 14 And made Israel pass through the midst of it, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 15 But tossed Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 16 To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 17 To Him who struck down great kings, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 18 And killed mighty kings, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Deut 29:7 ] 19 Sihon, king of the Amorites, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Num 21:21–24 ] 20 And Og, king of Bashan, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Num 21:33–35 ] 21 And gave their land as a heritage, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 22 Even a heritage to Israel His servant, For His lovingkindness endures forever; [Josh 12:1 ] 23 Who [faithfully] remembered us in our lowly condition, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 24 And has rescued us from our enemies, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 25 Who gives food to all flesh, For His lovingkindness endures forever; 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven, For His lovingkindness (graciousness, mercy, compassion) endures forever. Psalm 137 An Experience of the Captivity. 1 B Y THE rivers of Babylon, There we [captives] sat down and wept, When we remembered Zion [the city God imprinted on our hearts]. 2 On the willow trees in the midst of Babylon We hung our harps. 3 For there they who took us captive demanded of us a song with words, And our tormentors [who made a mockery of us demanded] amusement, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion.” 4 How can we sing the LORD ’s song In a strange and foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget [her skill with the harp]. 6 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth If I do not remember you, If I do not prefer Jerusalem Above my chief joy.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  10 And He rode upon a cherub (storm) and flew; And He sped on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His hiding place (covering); His pavilion (canopy) around Him, The darkness of the waters, the thick clouds of the skies. 12 Out of the brightness before Him passed His thick clouds, Hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He sent out His arrows and scattered them; And He sent an abundance of lightning flashes and confused and routed them [in defeat]. 15 Then the stream beds of the waters appeared, And the foundations of the world were laid bare At Your rebuke, O LORD , At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. 16 He reached from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He rescued me from my strong enemy, And from those who hated me, for they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, But the LORD was my support. 19 He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me. 20 The LORD dealt with me according to my righteousness (moral character, spiritual integrity); According to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD , And have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His ordinances were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me. 23 I was a blameless before Him, And I kept myself free from my sin. 24 Therefore the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness (moral character, spiritual integrity), According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. 25 With the kind (merciful, faithful, loyal) You show Yourself kind, With the blameless You show Yourself blameless, 26 With the pure You show Yourself pure, And with the crooked You show Yourself astute. 27 For You save an afflicted and humble people, But bring down those [arrogant fools] with haughty eyes. 28 For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; The LORD my God illumines my darkness. 29 For by You I can crush a troop, And by my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, His way is b blameless. The word of the LORD is tested [it is perfect, it is faultless]; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. 31 For who is God, but the LORD ? Or who is a rock, except our God, 32 The God who encircles me with strength And makes my way blameless? 33 He makes my feet like c hinds’ feet [able to stand firmly and tread safely on paths of testing and trouble]; He sets me [securely] upon my high places.

• From Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women (2017)

  T Acknowledgments his book began as a conversation with the late Dr. Rudolph P. Byrd, when he stopped to talk to me one day on the Emory Quadrangle about the ways that I could blend my interests in Black women writers and Black political theory. Invigorated by that conversation, I embarked on a quest to discover race women—who they are, what makes them tick, laugh, cry, and fight for better days. I did not know then that I would be living with these women in one form or another for the better part of a decade. But what I have learned is never to let respectable race ladies fool you—they have taken me on one wild ride! For their support and encouragement, I thank the incomparable Dr. Byrd; Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders, my first feminist professor and the reason I call myself a feminist today; Dr. Lawrence P. Jackson, my first college professor ever and the reason why I am a college professor today; and Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, the prototype for all of us who have dared to study the rich intellectual legacies of Black women thinkers. I thank my Emory Crew, colleagues who have supported this book in big and small ways over the years: Robert J. Patterson, Brenda D. Tindal, Keisha Haywood, V. Denise James Kim D. Green, Chante Martin, Worth Kamili Hayes, Yanci M. Baker, Pellom McDaniels, Zeb Baker, Aukje Kluge, Donna Troka, Elizabeth Stice, Aida Levy-Hussen, Lerone Martin, Michelle Purdy, Keisha Green, Regine Jackson, Tracy Smith, and the late Kharen Fulton. This book received generous financial support from the University of Alabama in the form of a College of Arts and Sciences Research Council Grant and additional financial support from Dean Bob Olin of the College of Arts and Sciences. I could not have asked for better colleagues than Dr. Doveanna Fulton and my friends Jennifer Shoaff and Derrick Bryan. A Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship gave me a critical year of time off to devote to this book and afforded me access to one of the most supportive communities of scholars that exists. I am so thankful for Lee Ann Fuji, Salamishah Tillet, Koritha Mitchell, Pier Gabrielle Foreman, David Ikard, Ula Y. Taylor, Monica Coleman, Fox Harrell, Ayesha Hardison, Rashawn Ray, Eric Anthony Grollman and others who have been part of my Ford Foundation mentorship network and community of support. Thanks also to Stephanie Evans for her early support of this manuscript. The Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences has also supported this book with a critical semester of time off that became critical to my ability to complete the manuscript. I also thank the Rutgers University Research Council for their generous grant in support of publication of this work. At Rutgers, I have been embraced by the intellectual generosity of so many scholars and colleagues whose gift of time and attention to my professional development fills me with gratitude.

• From The Decameron (1353)

  Aldobrandino being now, to the great joy of himself and his wife and of all his friends and kinsfolk, free and manifestly acknowledging that he owed his deliverance to the good offices of the pilgrim, carried the latter to his house for such time as it pleased him to sojourn in the city; and there they could not sate themselves of doing him honour and worship, especially the lady, who knew with whom she had to do. After awhile, deeming it time to bring his brothers to an accord with Aldobrandino and knowing that they were not only put to shame by the latter's acquittance, but went armed for fear [of his resentment,] he demanded of his host the fulfilment of his promise. Aldobrandino freely answered that he was ready, whereupon the pilgrim caused him prepare against the morrow a goodly banquet, whereat he told him he would have him and his kinsmen and kinswomen entertain the four brothers and their ladies, adding that he himself would go incontinent and bid the latter on his part to peace and his banquet. Aldobrandino consenting to all that liked the pilgrim, the latter forthright betook himself to the four brothers and plying them with store of such words as behoved unto the matter, in fine, with irrepugnable arguments, brought them easily enough to consent to regain Aldobrandino's friendship by asking pardon; which done, he invited them and their ladies to dinner with Aldobrandino next morning, and they, being certified of his good faith, frankly accepted the invitation.

• From Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (1994)

  Mostly I think an appropriate first reaction is to think that you don’t. But in a little while it may strike you as a small miracle that you have someone in your life, whose taste you admire (after all, this person loves you and your work), who will tell you the truth and help you stay on the straight and narrow, or find your way back to it if you are lost. I always show my work to one of two people before sending a copy to my editor or agent. I feel more secure and connected this way, and these two people get a lot of good work out of me. They are like midwives; there are these stories and ideas and visions and memories and plots inside me, and only I can give birth to them. Theoretically I could do it alone, but it sure makes it easier to have people helping. I have girlfriends who had their babies through natural childbirth—no drugs, no spinal, no nothing—and they secretly think they had a more honest birth experience, but I think the epidural is right up there with the most important breakthroughs in the West, like the Salk polio vaccine and salad bars in supermarkets. It’s an individual thing. What works for me may not work for you. But feedback from someone I’m close to gives me confidence, or at least it gives me time to improve. Imagine that you are getting ready for a party and there is a person at your house who can check you out and assure you that you look wonderful or, conversely, that you actually do look a little tiny tiny tiny bit heavier than usual in this one particular dress or suit or that red makes you look just a bit like you have sarcoptic mange. Of course you are disappointed for a moment, but then you are grateful that you are still in the privacy of your own home and there is time to change. One of the best writers I know has a wife who reads everything he writes and tells him when she loves it and when she doesn’t, why it does or doesn’t work for her. She is almost like an equal partner in the process. Two other writers I know use each other. As I said, I have two people who read my stuff. One is another writer, who is one of my best friends and probably the most neurotic, mentally ill person in my galaxy. Another is a librarian who reads two or three books a week but has never written a word. What I do is to work over a piece until it feels just about right, and then I send it to one of these two friends, who have agreed in advance to read it. I always send my work Federal Express, because I am too impatient to wait for the mail to deliver it.

• From Henry Miller on Writing (1964)

  No, I have no fear that those who read my works will become depraved or demoralized. Indeed, I possess thousands of letters from readers all over the world which tell the opposite story. Every day I receive letters from people of all ages, all classes of society, who thank me for opening their eyes, thank me for giving them the courage to lead their own lives, and so on. Perhaps it would not be out of order to ask what the defenders of morality do, for their part, to induce similar responses. The test of a man’s humanity lies in his acceptance of life, all aspects of life, not just those which correspond with his own limited viewpoint. As dear old sadly misunderstood Nietzsche said—“The Yea-sayers!” One last thing … In your letter you made reference to Knut Hamsun. Yes, I am happy to confess that this Norwegian writer, like his illustrious predecessor, Ibsen, exerted a great influence upon me in the formative years of my life. I know that to many of your countrymen his name is now anathema. In my eyes, nevertheless, he remains one of the half-dozen writers whom, as a novice, I tried to emulate. He gave me many, many hours of sheer joy; he opened my eyes to the beauties of nature; he revealed, in ways utterly magical, the souls of men and women caught in the throes of love, and the sorrows and sufferings of his figures had for me a poignant redemptive quality. I tried my best, naive as I then was, to copy him—but I never succeeded. None of our esteemed critics, to show you how obtuse these creatures can be, ever detected the influence, in style and approach, of this, my early, idol. Yet it is there for those who have eyes to see. Though he may have been a traitor to his country, I somehow do not believe that, had he read these questionable books of mine, he would have judged me harshly. Any more than he would have condemned any writer who endeavored to express himself freely and honestly. It was from your Knut Hamsun that I derived much of my love of life, love of nature, love of man. All I have done, or hope I have, in relating the distressing story of my life, is to increase that love of life, nature and all God’s creatures in those who read me. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” Most sincerely yours, Henry Miller Second Letter to Trygve Hirsch—The Henry Miller ReaderBig Sur, California February 27, 1959 Mr. Trygve Hirsch Oslo, Norway Dear Mr.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  12 In your lovingkindness, silence and destroy my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my life, For I am Your servant. Psalm 144 Prayer for Rescue and Prosperity. A Psalm of David. 1 B LESSED BE the LORD , my Rock and my great strength, Who trains my hands for war And my fingers for battle; 2 My [steadfast] lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my rescuer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me. 3 LORD , what is man that You take notice of him? Or the son of man that You think of him? [Job 7:17 ; Ps 8:4 ; Heb 2:6 ] 4 Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a shadow that passes away. 5 Bow Your heavens, O LORD , and come down; Touch the mountains, and they will smoke. 6 Flash lightning and scatter my enemies; Send out Your arrows and confuse and embarrass and frustrate them. 7 Stretch out Your hand from above; Set me free and rescue me from great waters, Out of the hands of [hostile] foreigners [who surround us] 8 Whose mouths speak deceit [without restraint], And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 9 I will sing a new song to You, O God; Upon a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, 10 Who gives salvation to kings, Who sets David His servant free from the evil sword. 11 Set me free and rescue me from the hand of [hostile] foreigners, Whose mouth speaks deceit [without restraint], And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood. 12 Let our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, And our daughters like corner pillars fashioned for a palace; 13 Let our barns be full, supplying every kind of produce, And our flocks bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; 14 Let our cattle bear Without mishap and without loss, And let there be no outcry in our streets! 15 How blessed and favored are the people in such circumstance; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored] are the people whose God is the LORD ! Psalm 145 The LORD Extolled for His Goodness. A Psalm of praise. Of David. 1 I WILL exalt You, my God, O King, And [with gratitude and submissive wonder] I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You and lovingly praise You; Yes, [with awe-inspired reverence] I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD , and highly to be praised, And His greatness is [so vast and profound as to be] unsearchable [incomprehensible to man]. [Job 5:9 ; 9:10 ; Rom 11:33 ] 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty and remarkable acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  29 Let my attackers be clothed with dishonor, And let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. 30 I will give great praise and thanks to the LORD with my mouth; And in the midst of many I will praise Him. 31 For He will stand at the right hand of the needy, To save him from those who judge his soul. Psalm 110 The LORD Gives Dominion to the King. A Psalm of David. 1 T he LORD (Father) says to my Lord (the Messiah, His Son), “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet [subjugating them into complete submission].” [Josh 10:24 ; Matt 26:64 ; Acts 2:34 ; 1 Cor 15:25 ; Col 3:1 ; Heb 12:2 ] 2 The LORD will send the scepter of Your strength from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” [Rom 11:26 , 27 ] 3 Your people will offer themselves willingly [to participate in Your battle] in the day of Your power; In the splendor of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, Your young men are to You as the dew. 4 The LORD has sworn [an oath] and will not change His mind: “a You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” [Heb 5:10 ; 7:11 , 15 , 21 ] 5 The LORD is at Your right hand, He b will crush kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He will execute judgment [in overwhelming punishment] among the nations; He will fill them with corpses, He will crush the chief men over a broad country. [Ezek 38:21 , 22 ; 39:11 , 12 ] 7 He will drink from the brook by the wayside; Therefore He will lift up His head [triumphantly]. Psalm 111 The LORD Praised for His Goodness. 1 P RAISE THE LORD ! (Hallelujah!) I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart, In the company of the upright and in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the LORD , Studied by all those who delight in them. 3 Splendid and majestic is His work, And His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has made His wonderful acts to be remembered; The LORD is gracious and merciful and full of loving compassion. 5 He has given food to those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence]; He will remember His covenant forever. [Deut 10:12 ; Ps 96:9 ] 6 He has declared and made known to His people the power of His works, In giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are truth and [absolute] justice; All His precepts are sure (established, reliable, trustworthy). 8 They are upheld forever and ever; They are done in [absolute] truth and uprightness. 9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has ordained His covenant forever; Holy and awesome is His name—[inspiring reverence and godly fear].

• From Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women (2017)

  For their support and encouragement, I thank the incomparable Dr. Byrd; Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders, my first feminist professor and the reason I call myself a feminist today; Dr. Lawrence P. Jackson, my first college professor ever and the reason why I am a college professor today; and Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, the prototype for all of us who have dared to study the rich intellectual legacies of Black women thinkers. I thank my Emory Crew, colleagues who have supported this book in big and small ways over the years: Robert J. Patterson, Brenda D. Tindal, Keisha Haywood, V. Denise James Kim D. Green, Chante Martin, Worth Kamili Hayes, Yanci M. Baker, Pellom McDaniels, Zeb Baker, Aukje Kluge, Donna Troka, Elizabeth Stice, Aida Levy-Hussen, Lerone Martin, Michelle Purdy, Keisha Green, Regine Jackson, Tracy Smith, and the late Kharen Fulton. This book received generous financial support from the University of Alabama in the form of a College of Arts and Sciences Research Council Grant and additional financial support from Dean Bob Olin of the College of Arts and Sciences. I could not have asked for better colleagues than Dr. Doveanna Fulton and my friends Jennifer Shoaff and Derrick Bryan. A Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship gave me a critical year of time off to devote to this book and afforded me access to one of the most supportive communities of scholars that exists. I am so thankful for Lee Ann Fuji, Salamishah Tillet, Koritha Mitchell, Pier Gabrielle Foreman, David Ikard, Ula Y. Taylor, Monica Coleman, Fox Harrell, Ayesha Hardison, Rashawn Ray, Eric Anthony Grollman and others who have been part of my Ford Foundation mentorship network and community of support. Thanks also to Stephanie Evans for her early support of this manuscript. The Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences has also supported this book with a critical semester of time off that became critical to my ability to complete the manuscript. I also thank the Rutgers University Research Council for their generous grant in support of publication of this work. At Rutgers, I have been embraced by the intellectual generosity of so many scholars and colleagues whose gift of time and attention to my professional development fills me with gratitude. Thank you Mia Bay for inviting me to serve my postdoctoral year at the Center for Race and Ethnicity. Thank you to Cheryl Wall and Deborah Gray White for reading drafts of my manuscript. This book is stronger because of you. Thank you to Ann Fabian for always “getting it,” and for encouraging me and making me feel like I was on the right path. Thank you to my colleagues in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, particularly Mary Hawkesworth for her multiple reads of this book and Alison Bernstein for always cheering me on. You are greatly missed, Alison. Thanks also to the Junior Faculty Crew. And thank you to my colleagues in the Department of Africana Studies including Edward Ramsamy, Kim Butler, and Gayle Tate.

• From Henry Miller on Writing (1964)

  Every day I receive letters from people of all ages, all classes of society, who thank me for opening their eyes, thank me for giving them the courage to lead their own lives, and so on. Perhaps it would not be out of order to ask what the defenders of morality do, for their part, to induce similar responses. The test of a man’s humanity lies in his acceptance of life, all aspects of life, not just those which correspond with his own limited viewpoint. As dear old sadly misunderstood Nietzsche said—“The Yea-sayers!” One last thing … In your letter you made reference to Knut Hamsun. Yes, I am happy to confess that this Norwegian writer, like his illustrious predecessor, Ibsen, exerted a great influence upon me in the formative years of my life. I know that to many of your countrymen his name is now anathema. In my eyes, nevertheless, he remains one of the half-dozen writers whom, as a novice, I tried to emulate. He gave me many, many hours of sheer joy; he opened my eyes to the beauties of nature; he revealed, in ways utterly magical, the souls of men and women caught in the throes of love, and the sorrows and sufferings of his figures had for me a poignant redemptive quality. I tried my best, naive as I then was, to copy him—but I never succeeded. None of our esteemed critics, to show you how obtuse these creatures can be, ever detected the influence, in style and approach, of this, my early, idol. Yet it is there for those who have eyes to see. Though he may have been a traitor to his country, I somehow do not believe that, had he read these questionable books of mine, he would have judged me harshly. Any more than he would have condemned any writer who endeavored to express himself freely and honestly. It was from your Knut Hamsun that I derived much of my love of life, love of nature, love of man. All I have done, or hope I have, in relating the distressing story of my life, is to increase that love of life, nature and all God’s creatures in those who read me. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” Most sincerely yours, Henry Miller Second Letter to Trygve Hirsch—The Henry Miller ReaderBig Sur, California February 27, 1959 Mr. Trygve Hirsch Oslo, Norway Dear Mr. Hirsch: To answer your letter of January 19th requesting a statement of me which might be used in the Supreme Court trial to be conducted in March or April of this year…. It is difficult to be more explicit than I was in my letter of September 19th, 1957, when the case against my book Sexus was being tried in the lower courts of Oslo. However, here are some further reflections which I trust will be found à propos.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and wisdom to Arioch, the captain of the king’s c bodyguard, who had gone out to execute the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so harsh and urgent?” Then Arioch explained the matter to Daniel. 16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to appoint a date and give him time, so that he might reveal to the king the interpretation of the dream . 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and discussed the matter with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 in order that they might seek compassion from the God of heaven regarding this secret, so that Daniel and his companions would not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. The Secret Is Revealed to Daniel 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. 21 “It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding! [Dan 4:35 ] 22 “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him. [Job 15:8 ; Ps 25:14 ; Matt 6:6 ] 23 “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers, For You have given me wisdom and power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, For You have made known to us [the solution to] the king’s matter.” 24 So Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Do not execute the wise men of Babylon! Bring me before the king, and I will reveal to the king the interpretation [of his dream].” 25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel before the king and said this to him: “I have found a man among the exiles of Judah who can explain to the king the interpretation [of the dream].” 26 The king said to Daniel, whose [Babylonian] name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to reveal to me the [content of the] dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered the king and said, “Regarding the mystery about which the king has inquired, neither the wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor astrologers are able to answer the king, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days (end of days). This was your dream and the vision [that appeared] in your mind while on your bed.

• From Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women (2017)

  Thank you Mia Bay for inviting me to serve my postdoctoral year at the Center for Race and Ethnicity. Thank you to Cheryl Wall and Deborah Gray White for reading drafts of my manuscript. This book is stronger because of you. Thank you to Ann Fabian for always “getting it,” and for encouraging me and making me feel like I was on the right path. Thank you to my colleagues in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, particularly Mary Hawkesworth for her multiple reads of this book and Alison Bernstein for always cheering me on. You are greatly missed, Alison. Thanks also to the Junior Faculty Crew. And thank you to my colleagues in the Department of Africana Studies including Edward Ramsamy, Kim Butler, and Gayle Tate. Thank you to Martha Jones for affirming the necessity of tangling with the vaunted ideas of the “big boys.” Thank you to each blind reviewer who read the manuscript and gave thoughtful comments that have assuredly made the book stronger. I appreciate Larin McLaughlin for believing in this book when it was in proposal format and for ultimately bringing it to the University of Illinois Press. And thank you Dawn Durante for being a wonderful editor and advocate for this book, for diligently guiding me through the process, and for being patient with me during my many freak-outs along the way. An earlier version of the information in the prologue was published as “Ain’t I A Lady?: Race Women, Michelle Obama, and the Ever-Expanding Democratic Imagination.” Thank you to the Journal of Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States (MELUS) and to Oxford University Press for permission to include this material. And thank you to the dedicated staff members at the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at my alma mater Howard University. One of the things I know for sure is that I have one of the baddest crews of homegirls to ever exist. Most of them also happen to be academics. And all of them are brilliance and BlackGirlMagic personified. Susana Morris, my Wonder Twin and CF, thank you for answering every distressed phone call, reading multiple drafts of this book, and talking me off the ledge all the time. (Sag Dance.) Robin Boylorn, my “bae” and CF, I am so glad for our friendship, for the ways you hold me down, for all the counsel, prayers, and encouragement. And to all the ladies of the CFC—Rachel Raimist, Sheri Davis-Faulkner, Eesha Pandit, Chanel Craft-Tanner, and Crunkista—I love y’all. This life is so much better because we get to do this work together. Treva B. Lindsey, I feel like we wrote these books together. Thank you for being a confidante, an ally, a mentor, a strategist, a formidable interlocutor, and one of the realest homegirls I have.

• From Henry Miller on Writing (1964)

  By the end of next year virtually everything I have written will exist in French. It is in France, I should like to point out, that I am most widely read and perhaps most deeply appreciated or esteemed. I believe it no exaggeration to say that the French reading public has accepted me as a sincere and earnest writer. It is not out of egotism that I state this. I have just returned to my native land after eight months abroad, most of which time was spent in France, many parts of France. Nowhere was I treated as an emissary of the devil. On the contrary, and I say it with a full heart, my reception everywhere was such that I shall never forget it. To put it more accurately, I am tempted to say that I was treated “almost” as if I were a Frenchman myself. By that I mean that I was not looked upon as a freak from some outlandish quarter of the globe. Men spoke to me as if I spoke their own language, the language of free men, which is understood everywhere. In the year 1927, while still in America, supposing myself like Abélard to have suffered more grievously than any ordinary mortal, I laid out the plan for a huge “book of mv life” which I purposed writing one day. It was only in 1939, in Paris, that the first fragment of this work—the beginning of a series of “autobiographical novels”—appeared. It was called Tropic of Capricorn . It was this book, together with Black Spring and Tropic of Cancer , which provided material for the celebrated “affaire Miller.” Thanks to the efforts of a group of French writers who had formed a “Comité de Défense,” I was eventually amnistié by the authorities. I have never understood how I could have been granted an amnesty, first because the case never came to court, and second because I had not been found guilty of committing a crime either against the people or against the government of France. Moreover, throughout this entire period of controversy, the books in question were never withdrawn from sale. But to go on…. With the publication of Sexus , the first volume of a trilogy called The Rosy Crucifixion , I am accused of offending the morals of the French public. As a consequence I have been requested to explain my position—where do I, as a writer, stand with regard to morality?

• From Beyond Respectability: The Intellectual Thought of Race Women (2017)

  To my movement folks, nothing has been the same since August 9, 2014. To Monica Dennis, Teddy Reeves, Nakisha Lewis, Vivian Anderson, Arielle Newton and all the rest, I’d ride that terrible bus with all of you again in the cause of freedom. Joanne Smith, thank you for loving us. Akiba Solomon, thank you for putting eyes on this book in a critical moment. It made a difference. I grew up an only child but in Mychal Denzel Smith, Darnell Moore, and Kiese Laymon, I have found brothers, cheerleaders, kindred spirits, and fam. I am eternally grateful for all of your BlackBoyMagic. Melissa Harris-Perry, thank you for being a mentor and a model for how to do Black feminist and public scholarship with integrity. Michael Eric Dyson, thank you for looking out for a sister in tangible ways. Mark Anthony Neal, you give me hope for feminist brothers. Thank you for the quiet but insistent way that you prodded and encouraged me to “finish the book!” Crystal Faison, clearly we’ve been friends for more than one lifetime. Thanks for being there since the beginning. Erica Hill, thank you and Lorenzo for letting me crash every time I have needed a place and for every pep talk and prayer. Those who know me know I am a Southern girl, born and raised. The women I write for are the women who raised me. This book is for my Grandmother Louvenia Cooper, my Aunties Colleen, Linda, and Geraldine, my uncle Barry, my many cousins, including Brandon and Courtney, Chad and Sterling, Kasey and Brandy, for my nieces and nephews, and all the rest. It is for the Edmonds family, including my Big Mama Geneva Edmonds. It is for my step-dad, the Reverend. But more than all of them, it is for my mom, Debbie Cooper Hicks. Thank you for every bedtime story, Baby-Sitters Club book, and insistent conversation about the proper pronunciation of words in the English language. Thank you for first encouraging me to write and for typing my stories. All that I am today began with seeds you planted. Thanks be to God almighty for keeping me. To any one I have forgotten, please charge it to my head and not my heart. Beyond RespectabilityPROLOGUEOnly the BLACK WOMAN can say “when and where I enter in the quiet, undisputed dignity of my womanhood, without violence and without suing or special patronage, then and there the whole race enters with me.” —Anna Julia Cooper (1892)

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. 3 The cords and sorrows of death encompassed me, And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : “O LORD , please save my life!” 5 Gracious is the LORD , and [consistently] righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. 6 a The LORD protects the simple (childlike); I was brought low [humbled and discouraged], and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. [Matt 11:29 ] 8 For You have rescued my life from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from stumbling and falling. 9 I will walk [in submissive wonder] before the LORD In the land of the living. 10 I believed [and clung to my God] when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” [2 Cor 4:13 ] 11 I said in my alarm, “All men are liars.” 12 What will I give to the LORD [in return] For all His benefits toward me? [How can I repay Him for His precious blessings?] 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation And call on the name of the LORD . 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD , Yes, in the presence of all His people. 15 b Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones [so He watches over them]. 16 O LORD , truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid; You have unfastened my chains. 17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call on the name of the LORD . 18 I will pay my vows to the LORD , Yes, in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the LORD ’s house (temple)— In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD ! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 117 A Psalm of Praise. 1 O praise the LORD , all you nations! Praise Him, all you people! [Rom 15:11 ] 2 For His lovingkindness prevails over us [and we triumph and overcome through Him], And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD ! (Hallelujah!) Psalm 118 Thanksgiving for the LORD ’s Saving Goodness. 1 O give thanks to the LORD , for He is good; For His lovingkindness endures forever. 2 Oh let Israel say, “His lovingkindness endures forever.” 3 Oh let the house of Aaron say, “His lovingkindness endures forever.” 4 Oh let those who [reverently] fear the LORD , say, “His lovingkindness endures forever.” 5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD ; The LORD answered me and set me free. 6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can [mere] man do to me?

• From Paul and Palestinian Judaism (40th Anniversary Edition) (2017)

  Individual Israelites did not really come into the question unless they behaved in such a way as to exclude themselves from the covenant. The sectarians, however, were faced with a much more serious problem: granted the consciousness of being the specially elect, the followers of the only true covenant, how could they account for their status? The election by definition must be by God's will; that much is obvious. But why did God now choose some Israelites and not others? This problem heightened the significance of the question of the election, and elicited two answers: God chose some but not others because he decided to do so; God chooses those who choose his way and rejects those who despise his commandments. Both of these answers, depending on the circumstances, could be considered to be true. Both appear, for example, in IQS, which, while it may be subject to source analysis, obviously had some kind of official status as a complete, if conflated document. The electing grace of God which chooses some and omits others would be emphasized when the author was thinking primarily of himself or of his colleagues within the sect, especially vis a vis God. In such a context, gratitude is the appropri- ate expression, coupled by wonder at being chosen, a feeling of personal unworthiness and an intense perception of God's graciousness. 68 Vis a vis God, no one can be worthy ; 69 one's choice must be by grace. It is not surprising that this attitude is found primarily in the hymn material. 70 The hymns are in the general category of prayers or blessings, 71 and it is natural for one in the attitude of prayer to feel his unworthiness and God's frei, fiihlt sich aber doch als Erwahlter. Wie er sich entscheidet, wie er selbst wahlt, das its eben auch vorherbestimmt, ist sein ihm gnadig zugefallenes Los' (The member of the community chooses freely, but feels he has been elected. How he decided and chose was predetermined; it is the gracious lot that has fallen to him, p. 39; cf. p. 36). This seems to force, however, a connection which the members may not have seen. They appear not to have been of the view that there had to be some relationship between predestination and free will. Notscher criticizes Licht for supposing that the covenanters did not perceive the problem and for thus not seeking a thorough solution (pp. 54f.), but systematizing Qumran thought on this point seems historically inaccurate. 68 Vermes noted that the conception of an election of individuals, rather than of an entire people, led to an emphasis on God's grace and consequently on man's unworthiness: Discovery, pp. 111-13. Cf. Burrows, Dead Sea Scrolls, pp. 263f.; below p. 270 and n. 82. 69 van der Ploeg noted that expressions of man's inability to 'direct his own steps' always refer to those who are already pious.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  8 I am not saying this as a command [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the enthusiasm of others, the sincerity of your love as well. 9 For you are recognizing [more clearly] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [His astonishing kindness, His generosity, His gracious favor], that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed). 10 I give you my opinion in this matter: this is to your advantage, who were the first to begin a year ago not only to take action [to help the believers in Jerusalem], but also [the first] to desire to do it . 11 So now finish this, so that your eagerness in desiring it may be equaled by your completion of it, according to your ability. 12 For if the eagerness [to give] is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. 13 For it is not [intended] that others be relieved [of their responsibility] and that you be a burdened [unfairly], but b that there be equality [in sharing the burden]— 14 at this present time your surplus [over necessities] is going to supply their need, so that [at some other time] their surplus may be given to supply your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written [in Scripture], “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH , AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE DID NOT LACK .” [Ex 16:18 ] 16 But thanks be to God who puts the same genuine concern for you in the heart of Titus. 17 For Titus not only accepted our appeal, but was so very interested in you that he has gone to visit you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent along with him the c brother who is praised in the gospel [ministry] throughout all the churches; 19 and not only this, but he has also been appointed by the churches to travel with us in regard to this gracious offering which we are administering for the glory of the Lord Himself, and to show our eagerness [as believers to help one another]. 20 We are taking precaution so that no one will [find anything with which to] discredit us in our administration of this generous gift. 21 For we have regard for what is honorable [and above suspicion], not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. 22 We have sent with them our brother, whom we have often tested and found to be diligent in many things, but who is now even more diligent [than ever] because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker in your service; and as for the [other two] brothers, they are [special] d messengers of the churches, a glory and credit to Christ.

• From Amplified Holy Bible (2015)

  14 We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]. [Is 35:4 ] 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17 be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18 in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20 Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21 But test d all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own]. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us. 26 Greet all the believers with a holy e kiss [as brothers and sisters in God’s family]. 27 I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read before all the f congregation. 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 1 Thessalonians 1 a 1:4 Lit Brethren . b 1:7 Greece was divided into two Roman provinces. The northern region was called Macedonia and the southern, Achaia. Thessalonica was an important seaport and was the capital city of Macedonia. 1 Thessalonians 2 a 2:8 Or resolved to . b 2:9 Lit brethren . c 2:14 Lit brethren . d 2:15 Jesus Christ willingly gave up His life for our salvation by allowing Himself to be tortured and killed. 1 Thessalonians 3 a 3:13 All born-again believers (saints) have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, made holy and set apart for God’s purpose. 1 Thessalonians 4 a 4:10 Lit brethren . b 4:16 Only Michael is identified as an archangel (Dan 10:13 ; Jude 9 ). 1 Thessalonians 5 a 5:1 The Greek word here for times refers to the length of time (indicating how long one must wait for something), while the word for dates refers to the particular time that a significant event will happen.