We had a much deeper sense of community in '67 than we do in '97. This is important to say that not in a nostalgic way because it's not as if '67 was a time when things were so good.

Part of the challenge of the Barack Obama campaign was to try to neutralize that white backlash, and of course, he was masterful in doing that.

Rap is just a movement within the larger culture of hip-hop.

There's simply no philosophizing without a love of wisdom, absolutely.

The paradox of race in America is that our common destiny is more pronounced and imperiled precisely when our divisions are deeper.

You keep folks so intimidated. You can give them money, access, but they're still scared. And as long as you're scared, you're on the plantation.

You don't begin by dehumanizing those who are dehumanizing you, because it contributes to the cycle of dehumanization in the world.