Able Quote by Barack Obama
“I kept finding the same anguish, the same doubt; a self-contempt that neither irony nor intellect seemed able to deflect. Even DuBois’s learning and Baldwin’s love and Langston’s humor eventually succumbed to its corrosive force, each man finally forced to doubt art’s redemptive power, each man finally forced to withdraw, one to Africa, one to Europe, one deeper into the bowels of Harlem, but all of them in the same weary flight, all of them exhausted, bitter men, the devil at their heels.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Art and Society, 2015
Great artists often confront doubt and disillusionment, questioning whether art can truly redeem or heal.
In simple terms: Artists may lose faith in art’s power.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge doubt but keep creating.
Themes
art
doubt
disillusionment
resilience
Mood
reflective
somber
inspirational
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- artist retreats
- mental health workshops
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
existential crisis
creative burnout
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists sustain hope amid systemic challenges?
- What role does community play in supporting creative resilience?
A Different Perspective
Even the most celebrated creators can feel hopeless, suggesting art alone may not solve deeper societal issues.
![“That is another theme in the book [Dreams from My Father]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we get the black to see through the eyes of the white? Or the citizen to see through the eyes of the immigrant? Or the straight to see through the eyes of the gay? That has…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00d/barack-obama-17_black_that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams_10185.jpg)
