Arturo Schomburg, born on January 24, 1874, in Puerto Rico, was a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He was an activist, writer, and historian who dedicated his life to documenting and promoting African American history and culture. Schomburg’s work was instrumental in challenging the prevailing narrative that downplayed the contributions of African Americans to society. His extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and artworks formed the basis of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, now a part of the New York Public Library.
Schomburg’s quotes are a testament to his passion for celebrating African American achievements and highlighting their historical significance. His words continue to inspire generations of individuals who are determined to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity. In this article, we have compiled some of the most thought-provoking quotes by Arturo Schomburg. Let these quotes serve as a reminder of the rich history and resilience of the African American community.
Arturo Schomburg once said, “History must restore what slavery took away.” This quote encapsulates his belief in the importance of reclaiming and preserving African American history. He recognized the detrimental effects of slavery on the African American community and dedicated himself to rectifying the erasure of their contributions.
Read these Arturo Schomburg Quotes:
“We must canonize our own saints, create our own martyrs, and elevate to positions of fame and honor black men and women who have made their distinct contributions to our racial history.”
“Ignorance of one’s history is the enemy of liberation.”
“The American Negro must remake his past in order to make his future.”
“The history of the world would be incomplete without the history of Black people in it.”
“We have been taught to honor Columbus and others for opening up the Western Hemisphere to civilization. But should we honor them? Was it civilized to exterminate six million Jews and millions of Native Americans?”
“If you want to hide something from Black people, put it in a book.”
“The American Negro must rebuild his past in order to make his future.”
“We are all geniuses up to 10 years old.”
“I challenge the assumption that African American history is somehow separate from American history.”
“My real name is Arturo Schomburg. That’s German. My father was German and my mother was from Puerto Rico. My father was white and my mother was black. My father was from a wealthy family in Germany. My mother was a slave in Puerto Rico.”
“History must restore what slavery took away.”
“The reason why we suffer from continuing poverty and economic depression is that our history has been written by the oppressors.”
“We must remind the world that Africa was the cradle of civilization and that the history of African people did not begin with slavery.”
“We must not let our history be written by others. We must write it ourselves.”
“If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.”
“The American Negro must remold his past in order to remake his future.”
“I am proud to be black, for I am black and beautiful!”
“There is no Negro problem. The problem is whether the American people have loyalty enough, honor enough, patriotism enough, to live up to their own Constitution.”
“We must believe in ourselves or no one else will believe in us.”
“There is nothing we cannot do. We can achieve anything we want if we put our minds to it.”
“We must not be content to sit and wait for miracles to happen. We must make our own miracles.”
These quotes by Arturo Schomburg reflect his dedication to promoting African American history, challenging the status quo, and empowering individuals to embrace their heritage. By remembering and celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans, we can strive for a more inclusive and equitable society.
