James Weldon Johnson was an American author and civil rights activist. Johnson established his reputation as a writer and became famous during the Harlem Renaissance for his poetry, novels, and anthologies that collected poetry and spirituals from black culture.
Johnson’s first successful work as a writer was the poem “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” (1899), for which his brother Rosamund later composed music. The song is informally known as the “Black National Anthem.” This is a collection of James Weldon Johnson’s quotes about love, color, and song.
Lift every voice and sing. James Weldon Johnson
There is no shame in being black, but it is often inconvenient. James Weldon Johnson
Strangely enough, honest people can be dishonest about certain things without the slightest guilt. James Weldon Johnson
Music is a universal art; anyone’s music belongs to everyone; you can’t limit it to race or country. James Weldon Johnson
New York struck me as a place where there was a lot of money and it wasn’t difficult to get it. James Weldon Johnson
Young man, your arms are too short to box with God! James Weldon Johnson
The great God, like a mother bent over her baby, knelt in the dust and toiled over a lump of clay until He shaped it in His own image. James Weldon Johnson
This country cannot have more democracy than it gives to its humblest and weakest citizens. James Weldon Johnson
It is from the blues that all music that may be called American music derives its most distinctive characteristics. James Weldon Johnson
Labor is the legendary magician’s wand, philosopher’s stone, and good-luck hat. James Weldon Johnson
It is the spirit of the South to defend what is ours. The North is too cosmopolitan and tolerant for this spirit. James Weldon Johnson
I am lonely, I will give me a world. James Weldon Johnson
It is from the blues that all music that may be called American music derives its most distinctive characteristics. James Weldon Johnson
So, for a few years, my life was mainly divided between music and textbooks. James Weldon Johnson
Until now, black people themselves have not fully appreciated these old slave songs. James Weldon Johnson
My mother was always busy sewing. Sometimes she would have another woman help her. James Weldon Johnson
After all, when one learns something about the world and human nature, one is bound to conclude that there are few differences between people at similar stages of life around the world. James Weldon Johnson
People of color in this country know and understand white people better than white people. James Weldon Johnson
O black and unknown bards of long ago, how did your lips touch the sacred fire? James Weldon Johnson
There are a lot of people of color who are ashamed of the cake walk, but I think they should be proud of it. James Weldon Johnson
We have walked a road watered by tears, we have walked by the blood of the massacred. James Weldon Johnson
Make yourself as happy as possible and try to make those who are connected to your life happy. But trying to right wrongs and end suffering around the world is futile. James Weldon Johnson
Every race and every nation should be judged by the best it can produce, not the worst. James Weldon Johnson
White Southerners have not yet fully adapted to the modern era. Many of their overarching ideas date back to the last century, some of which date back to the Dark Ages. On other days they sometimes seem magnificent. Today, they are often cruel and ridiculous. James Weldon Johnson
You know, I don’t object to anyone being biased, as long as those biases don’t interfere with my personal freedom. James Weldon Johnson
I had always looked good, and my ability to play the piano, especially ragtime, which was most popular at the time, made me a welcome guest. James Weldon Johnson
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