Toni Morrison, a Nobel Laurete, an icon of the literary world, and an elder in the womanisn movement has died at the age of 88. Born Chloe Ardelia Wofford, Morrison was an unfailing leader in the push for Black women narratives and wrote such classics as Song of Solomon, Sula, and Beloved, the latter of which earned her a Pulitzer Prize. Much can be said about the transformative power of her works, but I’d rather leave you with her own words right now:
“You can’t fly with regrets of yesterdays on your wings.
You can’t fly if you’re still in love with that ex that’s bad for you. Give that shit up!
You can’t fly if you’re afraid of standing up and taking power. Give that shit up!
You can’t fly if you’re spending the time you should be using to fly on other less important things. Give that shit up!
Focus on flying, if you wanna to fly. Because if you really wanna fly, nothing should be able to stop you. And if you’re not flying, realize something is. And lose that shit!”

Rest in Power, Toni Morrison. Thank you for the gift of your words and the beauty of your life.