Imprisonment has become the response of first resort to far too many of our social problems.

We have been basically persuaded that we should not talk about racism.

I don't think it's necessary to feel guilty. Because I know that I'm still doing the work that is going to help more sisters and brothers to challenge the whole criminal justice system, and I'm trying to use whatever knowledge I was able to acquire to continue to do the work in our communities that will move us forward.

I have a hard time accepting diversity as a synonym for justice. Diversity is a corporate strategy.

I never saw myself as an individual who had any particular leadership powers.

I can't really blame a lot of young sisters and brothers who believe that education has anything to offer them. Because as a matter of fact, it has nothing to offer them. Suppose they do get a high school diploma that is meaningful. What kind of job is awaiting them. The jobs that used to be available to working class people are not there as a result of the de-industrialization of this economy.

Racism cannot be separated from capitalism.