Blacks in America want to forget about slavery - the stigma, the shame. If you can't be who you are, who can you be? How can you know what to do? We have our history. We have our book, and that is the blues.

In this quote, August Wilson reflects on the deep and often painful legacy of slavery in America and its lasting impact on the African American community. He argues that many African Americans may feel a desire to forget about the stigma and shame of slavery, but he also emphasizes the importance of embracing that history. According to Wilson, understanding one’s heritage is crucial to fully understanding who they are, and without that connection, it becomes difficult to know one’s place in the world. He stresses that knowing one’s history is essential for personal and collective identity.

Wilson’s statement also points to the significance of the blues as a cultural symbol for African Americans. The blues, a music genre deeply rooted in the African American experience, serves as a historical record and a form of emotional expression. For Wilson, the blues represents not just a style of music but a story of survival, resilience, and authenticity in the face of adversity. It becomes a metaphorical “book” that captures the struggles, pain, and triumphs of the African American journey, serving as a reminder of the community's strength and heritage.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Wilson’s deep engagement with African American culture and his work as a playwright. Known for his powerful portrayal of African American life, especially through plays like Fences and The Piano Lesson, Wilson often explored themes of identity, struggle, and the importance of history. His emphasis on the blues highlights his belief in the importance of artistic expression as a means to both reflect on and reclaim African American identity, particularly in a society that sought to erase or distort it.

Ultimately, Wilson’s quote suggests that to truly understand who one is, particularly in the context of Black America, there must be a recognition and acceptance of history—even the painful parts. Through embracing that history, represented by the blues, African Americans can confront their past, understand their present, and shape their future with strength and clarity. It is a call to acknowledge the past as an integral part of the self, rather than something to be ignored or forgotten.