Sounder (1972)

Janet MacLachlan: Camille

Quotes 

• David Lee : Miss Johnson? Don't you teach in your school about folk who ain't dead?

  Camille : Sure! Here's one about a man who's very much alive. Dr. William E.B. DuBois.

  David Lee : What does he talk about?

  Camille : Here, I'll read something he said:

  [reading from "Of the Training of Black Men"] 

  Camille : "The longing of black men must have respect."

  [pauses to explain to David Lee] 

  Camille : Which means a man and a woman are human and must be treated that way.

  [continues reading] 

  Camille : "The rich and bitter depth of their experience, the unknown treasures of their inner life, the strange rendings of nature they have seen, may give the world new points of view and make their loving, living, and doing precious to all human hearts. And to themselves in these days that try their souls, the chance to soar in the dim blue air above smoke is to their finer spirits boon and guerdon for what they lose on earth by being black."

  David Lee : You're a nice lady, Miss Johnson.

• Camille : Boy, you sure keep my mind jumping!

  David Lee : And what does that mean?

  Camille : That means you keep me using my head, and that's good.