How lovely it is to live with a sense of community. To live where you can drop in the street and a million people will come and help you.

I am a 20th century escaped slave. Because of government persecution, I was left with no other choice than to flee from the political repression, racism and violence that dominate the U.S. government’s policy towards people of color.

In my case, spirituality has been important to me because at periods in my life there's been very little else that I've had going. I've actually needed to call on, to feel the forces of good in this universe to be able to survive.

What most impressed me about Cuba was the optimism.

I think anybody who is honestly struggling against racism must struggle against imperialism and vice versa.

I think that the movement against the World Bank, against the globalization process that is happening, is very positive. We need a globalization, a globalization of people who are committed to social justice, to economic justice. We need a globalization of people who are committed to saving this earth, to making sure that the water is drinkable, that the air is breathable.

In the long run, the people are our only appeal. The only ones who can free us are ourselves.