The only reason race matters is because of racism.

I would come, many years later, to understand why To Kill A Mockingbird is considered an important novel, but when I first read it at 11, I was simply absorbed by the way it evoked the mysteries of childhood, of treasures discovered in trees, and games played with an exotic summer friend.

They themselves mocked Africa, trading stories of absurdity, of stupidity, and they felt safe to mock, because it was a mockery born of longing, and of the heartbroken desire to see a place made whole again.

She rested her head against his and felt, for the first time, what she would often feel with him: a self-affection. He made her like herself.

If you followed the media you'd think that everybody in Africa was starving to death, and that's not the case; so it's important to engage with the other Africa.

There are people who dislike you because you do not dislike yourself.

I often make the mistake of thinking that something that is obvious to me is obvious to everyone else.