This was a beautifully written profile: The Radical Vision of Toni Morrison – NYTimes.com by Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah. Have you read any of Morrison’s books? I am ashamed to say that I have not, but Beloved is sitting on my shelf, waiting for me to give it my full attention.
Shannon Turlington 
I’m a long time Toni Morrison fan, having discovered her when I was a college student with “The Bluest Eye.” That’s my favorite, still, but I recommend Song of Solomon and Sula as well.