Engagement with the Toni Morrison Society on Instagram (3 Points) - Kenzie Moore (Class of 2028)

 

In her 1977 conversation with WTTW’s John Callaway, Toni Morrison describes writing not as a career choice, but as a necessity born from loneliness and reflection.  She explains that writing was first “a way of talking” to herself, a way of organizing what felt disjointed and making life coherent.  What stands out to me most is her insistence that she would continue writing even if publishing companies did not exist.  That commitment reframes writing as a way of thinking and feeling, not simply a professional achievement.

Engaging with the Toni Morrison Society on Instagram extends that same philosophy into the digital age.  Social media often feels fast and surface-level, but intentional engagement transforms it into a space for intellectual exchange.  Commenting on Morrison’s reflections is not just participation; it is preservation.  It keeps her ideas circulating within our generation and affirms that Black literary traditions are living conversations rather than static artifacts.

For the Habits of Mind Blog, this kind of engagement models curiosity, reflection, and community dialogue. Morrison teaches us that storytelling helps us interpret the world. By engaging her work publicly, we practice critical thinking in community.  Digital platforms, when used thoughtfully, become modern spaces for collective reflection, echoing Morrison’s belief that language and imagination help us see more clearly.

By: Kenzie Moore