Movies, as evidenced by a chorus of protesting and celebrating Americans, influence broader trends.

I love studying how people are. Not just what they're saying, but how they are, what they're doing.

Some people study a text very deeply. The people are my text. I study their words and what their words sound like, over and over again. When I was a kid, my grandfather said that "if you say a word often enough, it becomes you." Thinking of that later in life gave me this idea that I could try to become America by learning the words of people from many aspects of the country. It doesn't matter how educated they are. By living in the world and living their experiences, they bring extraordinary truths. I try to do those truths justice.

Suddenly in high school, I'm in a predominantly Jewish atmosphere. Jewish people were my gate to white America.

I think we need leadership that helps us remember that part of what we are about is caring about more than the person right next to us, but the folks across the way.

I mean, I think that - as an actress, in particular, I'm basically a fool, and I see the world upside down.

People in power have to be careful about what comes out of their mouth. They have to find exactly the right word that can't be attacked.