Have Mercy: The Religious Dimensions of the Writings of Toni Morrison

Panelists Mara Willard, Jay Williams, Josslyn Luckett, and HDS professors Stephanie Paulsell and Davíd Carrasco spoke on December 6, 2013 as part of the series Have Mercy: The Religious Dimensions of the Writings of Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison, the Robert F. Goheen Professor in the Humanities, Emerita, Princeton University, and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, was present at the talk and answered questions about her work from the audience. Morrison later gave the Ingersoll Lecture on Immortality in Harvard's Sanders Theatre.
HDS hosted a working group on the religious dimensions of Morrison's writings throughout the fall 2012 semester, convened by HDS professors Carrasco and Paulsell.

[@antheavanrooyen1332]

what an amazing woman. she has proven- that we - you are God. unbelievable grace and dignity. simply larger than life itself👍🏿I think it will take me a lifetime to understand the depth of her work. Best of all she looks like me😀

[@APTTMH07]

[@jeanettesdaughter]

I’m back again because of this wonderful artist. The sound of her voice, her humor , that intellect. And now a conversation about God. I’ve always known she was ancestral, biblical and prophetic. Tremendous gift to humanity- a Black woman from humble beginnings.

[@sylviataylor4173]

I never got to know her work in school. I never finished college, nor crossed roads with her work there. Only now have I. All I can say is Wow! Not only because I am in awe of her work, but also because of how my life continues to open up. 🙏🏾

[@Noname-tt5sj]

Wonderful ... amazing...very inspiring...and great to see that she looks like me too 😍. rest in eternal peace Toni Morrison 🙏🏽✝️💜

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Here is a creative genius from our beloved world only. She made us all proud of her and all that.

[@neskebeks]

“The level of language and its purpose”✨👌🏾💙🙏🏾

[@mountainlinx]

This is simply amazing!!!! It moves me to tears!

[@ramdularsingh1435]

Here is a brilliant brilliant author of our beloved world only. I love her works and her as well.

[@SueLyons1]

1:50:10 being a writer 'it's like an actor; Iike a role... be credible and faithful to the portrait'

[@loylynjoneswalton5666]

The depth of Professor Morrison's words evoked deep perspective in how society double-talks occurrences throughout history. Much contradicted events by the violent actions normalized, while windows for change turned attention to influencing change.
The ever-changing hostility toward different cultures surely come through periods where racism finds it's new position to divide and reek chaos despite lessons from a long history.
Professor Morrison points to a lot that "history" prepares: a short time to heal from a long time of pain.

[@christinegrem7141]

What a lady gentle merciful gracious Doctor is who set to the side without a mic what a lesson of mercy occurring right here

[@ardineh123]

A wonderful conversation!

[@ErzulieLaFlambeau]

Divine Intervention

[@SueLyons1]

1:27:20 'flat, total acceptance: that's not life; that's a coma'

[@SueLyons1]

1:35:15 'women are the first gods, the first artists'

[@neskebeks]

But 1 critique: why not let her have her own same mic - all the time 😭🤷🏾‍♀️ she is thé Queen

[@paulparis6347]

01:48 beginning

[@paulserenity7016]

34:12 she gather them, you know, its good to have a woman as a friend of your mind

[@paulserenity7016]

36:00 Baby Shuggs

[@13kika131]

What does Toni have to do

[@13kika131]

As we stand beneath a slave owner

[@christinegrem7141]

Interesting to me that all professors get referenced to as professors yet Professor Toni Morrison is referred to as simply Toni Morrison mmmmm

[@13kika131]

Eat prunes as my S babtist G ma tells me