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Oprah Winfrey was there, perched in the front row.
So was Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, Jesmyn Ward, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.
Morrison, who died on August 5 at the age of 88, wrote 11 novels.
She wrote childrens books, plays, an opera, essays.
It is Morrison, more than anyone, who measures the trauma and triumph of the enslaved.
Who creates, in her work, a living monument to our shared paths and our far-off future.
The grand cathedral was a fitting setting for the tribute.
It was there that, more than 30 years earlier, Morrison had eulogized James Baldwin.
Addressing him directly, shed said, Like many of us left here I thought I knew you.
Now I discover that in your company it is myself I know.
You gave us ourselves to think about, to cherish.
They praised her exquisite craft as intricately structured as an Ellington suite, said David Remnick.
Where does this voice, this lingo come from?
Is it American Homeric?
As Ward put it, She loved us when we prayed, and sang, and danced.
She loved us when we lied, and sliced throats, and disowned our children.
She loved us at our best and our broken.
Indeed, for black to be beautiful, it must very often not be pretty.
That beauty must ache.
That beauty must sometimes repulse even as it enchants, even as it enthralls, even as it arrests.
She was never only partially paying attention, Davis said.
This is why I think her vision was so extraordinary.
Unsurprisingly, Fran Leibowitz gave the solemn occasion a dash of humor and spice.
For more than 40 years, Toni was at least two of my four closest friends, said Leibowitz.
Dont take it seriously, Leibowitz remembered her saying.
You have to learn to ignore these kind of reviews, like I do.
So I assigned myself the task of holding Tonis grudges for her, Leibowitz said.
She found this extremely entertaining, but I was perfectly serious, and I still am.
So just, lets keep that in mind.
Ms. Winfrey spoke last, her earrings and glasses glittering in the Cathedrals dim light.
It was one of the great thrills of my life, Oprah said.
But they didnt talk.
Oprah (yes, Oprah) was too bedazzled.
the farm said to them.
See what it’s possible for you to do?
Stop sniveling, it said.
Stop picking around the edges of the world.
Take advantage, and if you cant take advantage, take disadvantage.
On this planet, in this nation, in this country right here.
We got a home in this rock, dont you see!
