I don't think you can bury words. I think the more you try to dismiss them, the more power you give to them, the more circulation they have. Michael Eric Dyson burycirculationdismiss Change image and share on social
I'm a 'tweener,' man! I couldn't march with Dr. King and them. And I'm too old to be a hip-hopper. But I've been granted honorary status in each generation... I see my tongue as a bridge over which ideas can travel back and forth. Michael Eric Dyson backbridgegeneration share on social
Oprah Winfrey represents the most ingenious and creative expression of black spiritual genius in the public mainstream that we've had in quite a long time, if ever. Michael Eric Dyson blackcreativeexpression Change image and share on social
I think that Michael Jackson, just as an entertainer, as a figure who embodies the contradictions of black identity and the possibilities of R&B music in the '70s and '80s, will continue to be one of the most recognized and formidable human beings that we've ever produced in our tradition. Michael Eric Dyson 70s80sbeing share on social
Bill Cosby is a famous black guy who has a bully pulpit the size of the world; it's global. He puts his colossal foot on the vulnerable necks of poor people, and as a result of that, we don't have a balanced conversation. Michael Eric Dyson balancebillblack share on social
When Dr. King was murdered, I had no idea who he was. But as soon as I heard his words on television that night when I was 9 years old, I was dumbstruck, awestruck by their power. Michael Eric Dyson awestruckdumbstruckhear Change image and share on social
My ambition didn't grow out of nowhere. It was planted in me by a community that nurtured me. Michael Eric Dyson ambitioncommunitygrow Change image and share on social
In our high-tech, high-skilled economy where low-skilled work is being scaled back, phased out, exported, or severely under-compensated, all the right behavior in the world won't create better jobs with more pay. Michael Eric Dyson backbehaviorcompensate share on social
I went to a segregated school; I was born a Negro, not a black man. Michael Eric Dyson bearblackman Change image and share on social
Martin Luther King, Jr., would have been the last person to have wanted his iconization and his heroism. He was an enormously guilt-laden man. He was drenched in a sense of shame about his being featured as the preeminent leader of African-American culture and the civil rights movement. Michael Eric Dyson africanamericancivil share on social