They were very poor, but loved
Quotes and Black Art | Thursdaysº
Quotes and Black Art
Your Curated Art Museum
“Come for the art, stay for the quotes.”
“Sometimes we love the people we should hate, and we hate the people we love, and we’re topsy-turvy, but it’s like the song my dad likes to put on the record player when he’s had a little too much to drink: ‘It’s a thin line between love and hate.’” — Christina Hammonds Reed, The Black Kids, 2020
A Snippet:
Did you know that shortly after publishing The Black Kids, Christina Hammonds Reed wrote in an article for Elle magazine, “I am lucky in many ways. Amid so many nightmares, a dream of mine is coming true: I wrote a book and it’s getting published. All my parents’ sacrifices are coming to fruition.”
Learn more . . .
Quotes and Black Art
Thursday, April 2, 2026 (Lesson 65)
“Make me want to holler, the way they do my life!”
— Marvin Gaye
193. “African Wonder” (1995) by Otto Neals
Brooklyn artist Otto Neals (b. 1931), who worked at the Brooklyn Post Office while creating in his spare time, on paying dues:
“My talent as an artist comes directly from my ancestors. I am merely a receiver, an instrument for receiving some of the energies that permeate our entire universe and I give thanks for having been chosen to absorb those artistic forces.”
194. “The Messenger” (2008) by Noah Davis
Seattle born and Los Angeles-based artist Noah Davis (1983 - 2015), who went on to be with the Lord (succumbing to cancer) at age 32, on making a statement:
“If I’m making any statement, it’s to just show Black people in normal scenarios, where drugs and guns are nothing to do with it.”
195. “They Were Very Poor, But Loved” by Brian Washington
Cincinnati, Ohio, artist Brian Washington (b. 1980), also an award-winning attorney, commenting on how we got over:
“We’ve made a lot of progress because ordinary people did extraordinary things.”
The Silver Lining?
Pro Tip: Let us never forget the Golden Rule; always treat others the way we would want to be treated. Ex: When dining in a group, make sure to refill (water, wine, etc.) your fellow diner's glasses (first!) before refilling your own. If anyone declines, politely respect their decision and move on to the next guest, the next empty glass.
Aries Birthdays!
(March 21st - April 19th)
March 23rd - Chaka Khan
March 25th - Arentha Franklin
March 26th - Diana Ross
March 27th - Mariah Carey
April 2nd - Marvin Gaye (today)!
April 3rd - Eddie Murphy
April 4th - Maya Angelou
(Breathe In . . . Breathe Out)
They were very poor, but loved
Quotes and Black Art - A Newsletter
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