Their Words Live On: Remembering the Fallen Heroes of 2021
As 2022 approaches, we here at the National Museum of African American history and Culture pause to reflect on the lives of those we have lost in 2021. As we mourn their passing we must also preserve the incalculable contributions they have made to American history through their deeds and words. Below we have listed some of the most impactful quotes from a few of the most notable Americans that left us this year. We hope these words of wisdom inspire you in the new year, and encourage you to read the statements of passing to learn more about their lives and accomplishments.
Hank Aaron
Baseball Hall of Famer
February 5, 1934 - January 22, 2021
"Once the record was mine, I had to use it like a Louisville Slugger. I believed, and still do, that there was a reason why I was chosen to break the record. I feel it's my task to carry on where Jackie Robinson left off, and I only know of one way to go about it. It's the only way I've ever had of dealing with things like fastballs and bigotry -- keep swinging at them."
Alcee Hastings
Civil Rights Attorney and Congressman
September 5, 1936 - April 6, 2021
"Not just Christians and Jews, but also Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and the followers of many other religions believe in values like peace, respect, tolerance and dignity. These are values that bring people together and enable us to build responsible and solid communities."
bell hooks
Influential Feminist, Critic, Activist and Scholar
September 25, 1952 - December 15, 2021
"Usually when people talk about the strength of black women…they ignore the reality that to be strong in the face of oppression is not the same as overcoming oppression, that endurance is not to be confused with transformation."
Robert Houston
Civil Rights Photographer
November 13, 1935 - April 26, 2021
"Learn all you can and practice...What else can you shoot that no one else can? What have you seen that no one else speaks of? You go to the rallies or concerts and shoot? So what? So did everyone else. You have to do something special."
Vernon Jordan
Civil Rights Leader
August 15, 1935 - March 1, 2021
"I'm here because I stand on many, many shoulders, and that's true of every black person I know who has achieved."
Paul Mooney
Comedian, Actor, Social Critic
August 4, 1941 - May 19, 2021
"I cannot be any other way than how I am. I can’t ‘tone it down.’ I can’t ‘be less Black.’ I never worry about whether that person gets me or that person doesn’t."
Robert ‘Bob’ Moses
Freedom Summer Organizer, SNCC Secretary, and Civil Rights Leader
January 23, 1935 - July 25, 2021
"Don’t think necessarily of starting a movement. Do what you think actually needs to be done, set an example, and hope your actions will click with someone else."
Gen. Colin Powell
Military Hero and First African American Secretary of State
April 5, 1937 - October 18, 2021
"Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."
Cicely Tyson
Author, Critic and Musician
December 19, 1924 - January 28, 2021
"My art had to both mirror the times and propel them forward. I was determined to do all I could to alter the narrative about Black people — to change the way Black women in particular were perceived, by reflecting our dignity."
Mary Wilson
Motown Legend
March 6, 1944 - February 8, 2021
"We really dared to dream big at only 16-years-old. We were three little Black girls from Detroit, Michigan, living in the projects, daring to dream big and going to this record company. No one came out to discover us. We went to the source and we found Motown. We sat out there on those Motown steps for days, months, trying to get in their front door."