I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and of London as a big freckle. James Weldon Johnson beautybigearth Change image and share on social
Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the city of canals; it had never entered my mind that I should find similar conditions in a Dutch town. James Weldon Johnson amsterdamcanalcity Change image and share on social
The Southern whites are in many respects a great people. Looked at from a certain point of view, they are picturesque. If one will put oneself in a romantic frame of mind, one can admire their notions of chivalry and bravery and justice. James Weldon Johnson admirebraverychivalry share on social
But I must own that I also felt stirred by an unselfish desire to voice all the joys and sorrows, the hopes and ambitions, of the American Negro, in classic musical form. James Weldon Johnson ambitionamericanclassic Change image and share on social
Shortly after this I was made a member of the boys' choir, it being found that I possessed a clear, strong soprano voice. I enjoyed the singing very much. James Weldon Johnson boychoirclear Change image and share on social
I believe it to be a fact that the colored people of this country know and understand the white people better than the white people know and understand them. James Weldon Johnson colorecountryfact Change image and share on social
My appearance was always good and my ability to play on the piano, especially ragtime, which was then at the height of its vogue, made me a welcome guest. James Weldon Johnson abilityappearancegood Change image and share on social
I do not see how a people that can find in its conscience any excuse whatever for slowly burning to death a human being, or for tolerating such an act, can be entrusted with the salvation of a race. James Weldon Johnson actburnconscience Change image and share on social
Northern white people love the Negro in a sort of abstract way, as a race; through a sense of justice, charity, and philanthropy, they will liberally assist in his elevation. James Weldon Johnson abstractassistcharity Change image and share on social
It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives its most distinctive character. James Weldon Johnson americanbluecall Change image and share on social
