Quotes by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Prejudice is sinful. All blood flows red. And the most harmful and foolish kind of prejudice is prejudice against yourself. Every woman is your sister, and every woman needs her sisters. So try to give other women the courtesy of your compassion, respect, and forgiveness. Love yourself despite - and because of - your flaws.

I always wanted to write for children. When I was growing up, we were really poor. My mother had left, and it was all a mess. So I lived in my head a lot, and I would get lots of books for Christmas - from librarians and teachers - and they just fed my imagination.

My mother had abandoned the family, so grandmother raised me. And she was instrumental in that she taught me that the world is a glorious place. She taught me to embrace humanity. And shed say theres never an excuse for joy. And to be thankful.

I grew up feeling less than. I was the sad, shy child hiding in the hall closet beneath coats. Id wait for my grandmothers voice to call, Jewell, Jewell. I was lost, waiting to be found. I thought being found, Id be happier, better. All the while, I read stories. Stories with both truth and lies.

A grandparent can be simply affirming. A grandparent has been there, done that child-raising stuff, and has the wisdom of experience. And so in some ways, theyre free to love without the anxiety of being the actual parents. Theyre free to give.

I think its always natural for children to rebel against their parents and establish their own identity. And also, I think parents get invested in, you know, doing the right thing? And so their anxiety about being good parents might, in a way, affect a relationship negatively.