The idea of sacrifice is integral to the John Henry myth. Heroic figures have to die in order for us to have our stories; we live and stand on their bones. Colson Whitehead Read Quote
Anytime an African-American writes an unconventional novel, the writer gets compared to Ellison. But that’s O.K. I am working in the African-American literary tradition. That’s my aim and what I see as my mission. Colson Whitehead Read Quote
My mom’s mother was from Virginia, but I don’t feel much of a tie. I’m very much anti-South for many, many reasons. Whenever I go down there, people are always looking at me funny, you know. Colson Whitehead Read Quote
Schools don’t teach American history that well, especially a lot of black American history. Colson Whitehead Read Quote
I wrote a book of essays about New York called ‘The Colossus of New York,’ but it’s not about – you know, when I’m writing about rush hour or Central Park, it’s not a black Central Park, it’s just Central Park, and it’s not a black rush hour, it’s just rush hour. Colson Whitehead Read Quote
I like to explore different ideas of race, how the concept of race has evolved in the country. It’s one thing I enjoy talking about, but I don’t feel compelled to talk about it. Colson Whitehead Read Quote
