alex haley family quotes, born Alexander Murray Palmer Haley on August 11, 1921, in Ithaca, New York, was an American writer and journalist best known for his groundbreaking book Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1976), which traced his family’s history from Africa to America. The book and its 1977 TV miniseries captivated millions, sparking widespread interest in genealogy and African American history. Haley also co-authored The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965), a seminal work in civil rights literature. These 15 quotes—sourced from his books, interviews, and public statements—reflect his insights on family, heritage, resilience, and history, capturing his passion for storytelling and cultural identity.
15 Alex Haley Quotes
- “In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” (Traits of a Healthy Family, 1983)
- “Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.” (Interview, Ladies’ Home Journal, 1983)
- “When you start about family, about lineage and ancestry, you are talking about every person on earth.” (Time magazine, 1977)
- “The family is our refuge and our springboard; nourished on it, we can advance to new horizons.” (Traits of a Healthy Family, 1983)
- “Have family reunions. There is something magic about the common sense of a blood bond. It’s not less magic for black, white, brown or polka dot.” (Ladies’ Home Journal, 1983)
- “In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage—to know who we are and where we have come from.” (Roots: The Saga of an American Family, 1976)
- “My fondest hope is that ‘Roots’ may start black, white, brown, red, yellow people digging back for their own roots.” (Interview, Reader’s Digest, 1977)
- “Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you.” (The Autobiography of Malcolm X, 1965)
- “Racism is taught in our society, it is not automatic. It is learned behavior toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics.” (Interview, Reader’s Digest, 1977)
- “Every time an old person dies, it’s like a library burning down.” (Alex Haley: The Man Who Traced America’s Roots, 2007)
- “Find the good and praise it.” (Interview, Reader’s Digest, 1954)
- “Roots is not just a saga of my family. It is the symbolic saga of a people.” (Reader’s Digest, 1977)
- “The greatest part of the history of this country is in the memories and minds of older people.” (Ladies’ Home Journal, 1983)
- “You can never enslave somebody who knows who he is.” (Interview, Reader’s Digest, 1977)
- “Tying the little folks with the older folks is a great and powerful tool to preserve and to protect the family and the individual.” (Alex Haley: The Man Who Traced America’s Roots, 2007)
Alex Haley’s quotes are a powerful blend of wisdom, heritage, and resilience, urging readers to cherish family, embrace their roots, and confront reality with courage. Which one inspires you to dig into your own history? Drop it in the comments and keep his legacy of storytelling alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
Email – business@mylittledesire.com
