I happen to be a hopeaholic. I tend to look at problems as an opportunity to do some work.

You've heard that old expression from Shakespeare, 'Just speak the speech'? The words themselves will take you to the reality of the character. And so this led me to interview people.

People who are sick, or who have been sick, or have come close to death have a lot to say - and they want you to hear it.

Then everyone leaves, and you are left, each night, to your own devices with a crowd of interesting people - most of whom you don't know - sitting in the dark.

I think as a kid I always liked to listen to people. I loved hearing stories.

Somehow we can't live outside the politics of race. There's something very deep in all of us, that is taught to us when we are very, very little. Which is the disrespect and fear of the other.

Identity is an assemblage of constellations.