A clip of a 1998 interview with Toni Morrison recirculating the net following news of the literary legend's Aug. 5 passing.

In memoriam of the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, co-host of BET's Black Coffee Marc Lamont Hill shared a snippet from the Toni Morrison: Uncensored documentary. In the footage, the Sula author is seen holding interviewer Jana Wendt accountable for asking a question only a Black literary figure would be subjected to.

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This clip summarizes so much of our beloved Toni Morrison: stunning brilliance, unflinching honesty, and fierce love of Black people…. And she didn’t suffer fools. She will be desperately missed.

A post shared by Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) on Aug 6, 2019 at 9:07am PDT

"You don't think you'll ever change and write books that incorporate white lives into them substantially?" the journalist asks.

Without missing a beat, Morrison responds, "I have done."

"In a substantial way?" Wendt presses.

"You can't understand how powerfully racist that question is, can you?" Morrison, a Lorain, Ohio native asks. "Because you could never ask a white author, 'When are you going to write about Black people?' Whether he did or not, or she did or not. Even the inquiry comes from the position of being in the center."

"And being used to being in the center," the interviewer, seemingly understanding her fault, finishes.

"It's inconceivable that where I already am is the mainstream," Morrison adds before the clip's end.

Folks online were without a question further in awe of the literary icon after watching the clip.

"The most amazing moment of clear conversation about race. With love and conviction," user Tanika Ray commented.

"Polite way of saying 'Stay in yo lane'. [sic] ????" another user wrote.

The video also made its way to Twitter where it was met with nothing short of praise.

Toni Morrison answered her so eloquently. This white woman fucking TRIED IT.

— ???????? (@MJFinesseLover) August 6, 2019

That smirk before she goes in ????????

— Jamie (@JayElHarris) August 6, 2019

Truth. Succinct. Poignant. Unmovable.

— Fogologist, Pre Ph.D (@Goper91) August 6, 2019

Morrison, who was 88 when she passed, didn't depart without leaving an indelible mark in the literary realm and beyond. She was the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Literature, and one of her most celebrated works, Beloved, was adapted for a film which starred Oprah Winfrey. On May 29, 2012, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Jana-Wendt

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