14+ George Elliott Clarke Quotes On Slavery, Education And Constitution

George Elliott Clarke is a Canadian poet, playwright, literary critic, and professor. He is the current Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada and holds the position of E.J. Pratt Professor of Canadian Literature at the University of Toronto. His works often explore the experiences of African Canadians, particularly in the Maritimes, and have earned him several awards, including the Governor General's Award for Poetry. Following is our collection on famous quotes by George Elliott Clarke on leadership, slavery, education.

The only good produced by the disappearance of Africville was the appearance of a conscious black nationalism … In this regard, Consecrated Ground is the heir of fierce, vengeful, and epic activism. — George Elliott Clarke

Keep on being a star in your own right. Keep on defining yourself. Don't be defined by others. — George Elliott Clarke

The early 20th Century was probably the high tide of global white supremacy - I'm going to call it that because that's how people thought of it - and to be specific, Anglo-Saxon supremacy: The idea that white Anglo-Saxon Protestants were at the top of the world, representing the highest achievement possible for all of humanity, with Darwin's theories being used to prop up this belief. — George Elliott Clarke

I still think that there's some kind of psychological investment in black athletes carrying the flag for "us" at times. So, sports [remains a] metaphor for struggle and triumph and flair. — George Elliott Clarke

I suppose the "dilemma" might come up if I see a black athlete from the U.S. squaring off against a white Canadian athlete. Who do I want to identify with? I certainly will not and cannot say that race determines how I see competition. I'm certainly aware of how race plays into the way others see and portray competition some times, but I don't have to invest in it that way myself. Unless it's boxing. — George Elliott Clarke

A symbolic victory is still a victory. — George Elliott Clarke

Sport is cultural. What the star athlete does helps to define the culture. What the star athlete does on a Canadian team, especially if he or she is Canadian, helps define Canadian-ness. — George Elliott Clarke

Boxing remains an important living metaphor of the struggle for equality. — George Elliott Clarke

The moon twangs its silver strings; The river swoons into town; The wind beds down in the pines, Covers itself with stars. — George Elliott Clarke

The way racism works in Canada, it's very subtle. You may feel you're a victim of racism or have experienced racism, but you can't necessarily prove it - unless you get a [white] friend to go check out that rental, go check out that job, whatever. Unless you're willing to really dig to prove you're a victim of racism, it might be difficult to do that. And so what you're dealing with then is feeling, it's emotion. — George Elliott Clarke

I feel lucky to live at a time when the dominant tennis players are Venus and Serena Williams. And to have lived through the success of a whole slew of boxers and feel I could invest emotionally and psychologically in their victories, and identify with them in their struggles. — George Elliott Clarke

Redefine the sport in terms of your expertise, in terms of your talent, in terms of your strength, in terms of your flair. Make it interesting. Make it something that people want to watch. — George Elliott Clarke

All books are merely delayed dust. — George Elliott Clarke

Sports are never just sports, we all know that. You're always carrying the flag in some way, shape or form. — George Elliott Clarke

Life Lessons by George Elliott Clarke

1. George Elliott Clarke's work emphasizes the importance of celebrating and preserving African-Canadian culture and heritage.
2. His poetry draws attention to the struggles of marginalized communities and the importance of recognizing their struggles.
3. His work encourages readers to think critically about the power structures that exist in society and to strive for a more equitable and just society.