I've been blessed, I think, to have tremendous joy in my life in pursuing my vocation, my calling.

Optimism is evidence-based.

I certainly support the right of the gay brothers and sisters to come together. I believe true love can take a number of different forms. If they choose to be married that's fine, but the important thing is I hope they find love

It takes unbelievable spiritual courage, moral fortitude, to engage in militant nonviolence.

Prophetic pragmatism attempts to keep alive the sense of alternative ways of life and of struggle based on the best of the past. In this sense, the praxis of prophetic pragmatism is tragic action with revolutionary intent, usually reformist consequences and always visionary outlook.

The black church often has reinforced certain self images that are damaging to black peoples' beauty, black peoples' confidence.

I think it's important not to view Martin Luther King Jr. in a narrow political manner. His fundamental commitment is to a radical love of humanity, and especially of poor and working people. And that radical love leads him to a radical analysis of power, domination and oppression. What's difficult is to situate him ideologically under a particular category.