Charlotte Forten Grimké Quotes

6 Sourced Quotes

Hatred of oppression seems to me so blended with hatred of the oppressor that I cannot separate them. I feel that no other injury could be so hard to bear, so very very hard to forgive, as that inflicted by cruel oppression and prejudice.

Charlotte Forten Grimké
The long, dark night of the Past, with all its sorrows and its fears, was forgotten; and for the Future—the eyes of these freed children see no clouds in it. It is full of sunlight, they think, and they trust in it, perfectly.

Charlotte Forten Grimké
But oh, how inexpressibly bitter and agonizing it is to feel oneself an outcast from the rest of mankind, as we are in this country! To me it is dreadful, dreadful.... Oh, that I could do much towards bettering our condition. I will do all, all the very little that lies in my power, while life and strength last!

Charlotte Forten Grimké
Let me not forget again that I came not here for friendly sympathy or for anything else but to work, and to work hard. Let me do that faithfully and well.

Charlotte Forten Grimké
On teaching ex-slaves:
I shall dwell again among "mine own people." I shall gather my scholars about me, and see smiles of greeting break over their dusky faces. My heart sings a song of thanksgiving, at the thought that even I am permitted to do something for a long-abused race.

Charlotte Forten Grimké
I wonder that every colored person is not a misanthrope. Surely we have everything to make us hate mankind.

Charlotte Forten Grimké