Who was the woman behind the words?
Toni Morrison – a mother, researcher, friend, creator, author, and of course, trailblazing Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winner. Sharing the trajectory of the legendary writer’s career is no small feat, but in The Pieces I Am documentary viewers get to unfold the layers behind the woman whose words have spoken to them for decades.
The film traces her roots. From her birth in Lorain, Ohio to being taught to read at the age of three by her older sister. Her fascination with literature developed from there as she began spelling words. She recalls the time when she spelled her first curse word f**k with chalk on the steps of her childhood home. Her mother’s furious and non-explanatory response taught her that words have power. Her journey with words continued when her sister helped Morrison land her first job at the library at age 9.
In The Pieces I Am Morrison is personable, vulnerable and revealing. As she shares more intimate moments of her life and wisdom in her own words, there appears to be a divine flow surrounding Morrison’s career and life. Stemming from her belief in words and what they can translate into, Morrison held many job titles throughout her vast career – all centred around literature. Editor, professor, essayist, novelist.
As she shares in the film, she was always focused on being a familiar and relatable voice for her audiences. “I didn’t want to speak for Black people,” she says. “I wanted to speak to and to be among them.”
Toni Morrison’s career and legacy is a blueprint not just for upcoming writers like myself, but it is a symbol of what it means to use your talents to create an impact and maintain longevity.
The film showcases how highly respected the author of Beloved, The Bluest Eye and countless others is among a range of notable people. Poet Sonia Sanchez, activist Angela Davis, writer and teacher Farah Griffin and mogul Oprah Winfrey sing Morrison’s praises for her impact on Black culture through literature.
One moment in the film that stood out to me was when Sanchez gets surprisingly emotional when explaining the impact that Morrison’s presence alone had. “There are some people who are here to make us walk upright as human beings,” she says.
Toni Morrison’s career and legacy is a blueprint not just for upcoming writers like myself, but it is a symbol of what it means to use your talents to create an impact and maintain longevity.
Her impact created room for Black writers, specifically Black women writers, to step into themselves, gain clarity and understand how to stand up for themselves. The film is inspiring and an interesting look into one of the most well respected Black writers of our time. Her words spoke to those who needed something to believe in or just needed an extra push during their walk of life.
When I think Toni Morrison I think grace, strength, Black femininity and power. This film emphasizes that.
As this piece was being edited, news of Morrison’s passing broke. She will always be beloved. Her legendary life and career has reminded me to write even when I don’t want to because, just like she said, my words have power.
Her death has and will sadden many, but she’s left us with words that tell us she’s truly resting in the powerful measure of her life.
“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.”
Photos supplied courtesy of Hot Docs Cinema
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