I am very, very happy for Alice Walker.

When I dare to be powerful - to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.

I have suckled the wolf's lip of anger and I have used it for illumination, laughter, protection, fire in places where there was no light, no food, no sisters, no quarter.

There's always someone asking you to underline one piece of yourself - whether it's Black, woman, mother, dyke, teacher, etc. - because that's the piece that they need to key in to. They want to dismiss everything else.

Every woman I have ever known has made a lasting impression on my soul.

I am a bleak heroism of words that refuse to be buried alive with the liars.

...and that visibility which makes us most vulnerable is that which also is the source of our greatest strength.