Community Quote by Jesmyn Ward
“I was raised in Mississippi, in a family and a community that identified as black, and I have the stories and the experiences to go with it. One of my great-great grandfathers was killed by a gang of white Prohibition patrollers.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2018
The speaker reflects on personal and ancestral Black identity shaped by regional history and violence.
In simple terms: Her Black roots are tied to Mississippi and family history.
Recognize how history shapes identity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- historical research
- social justice work
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your family history influence your worldview?
- What role does regional context play in shaping identity?
Personal narratives may not capture broader systemic forces.