I was never threatened…I never knew anyone who was lynched.… - Ernest J. Gaines

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I was never threatened…I never knew anyone who was lynched. But there was subtle racism every day of my life. You could not speak to a white man unless he spoke to you first. On the sidewalk, I’d have to move so a white person could walk by.

Ernest J. Gaines

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About Ernest J. Gaines

Ernest James Gaines (January 15, 1933 – November 5, 2019) was an African-American author whose books include The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, A Lesson Before Dying, and A Gathering of Old Men.

Also Known As

Alternative Names: Ernest Gaines • Ernest James Gaines

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When people hear stories, they identify more closely with the characters. When I read aloud, people always come up to me and say, “I understand it much better now that I’ve heard you read it. I can hear the characters’ voices much clearer…”

I would think a faith in God is one thing. I think that if we could change the whole world and keep the land is another thing. Change things yet keep keep the relationship is another thing.

King is probably one of three men of this century that I'll call heroic. A fantastic man as far as I'm concerned, for all that he did.

I was never threatened…I never knew anyone who was lynched. But there was subtle racism every day of my life. You could not speak to a white man unle… - Ernest J. Gaines

About Ernest J. Gaines

Also Known As

Additional quotes by Ernest J. Gaines