I think hip-hop can be prophetic and progressive, and at the same time, the dominant forms tend to be homophobic, misogynistic and something that we need to critically call into question.

I loathe nationalism. It is a form of tribalism--the idolatry of the 20th century.

The rage is still there but I found the right kind of channel, because it's tied to a love, it's tied to a struggle for justice. And most importantly, for me, it's tied to a recognition that I am a cracked vessel.

You can't lead the people if you don't love the people. You can't save the people if you don't serve the people.

The country is in deep trouble. We've forgotten that a rich life consists fundamentally of serving others, trying to leave the world a little better than you found it. We need the courage to question the powers that be, the courage to be impatient with evil and patient with people, the courage to fight for social justice. In many instances we will be stepping out on nothing, and just hoping to land on something. But that's the struggle. To live is to wrestle with despair, yet never allow despair to have the last word.

The powerful have no monopoly on greed, hatred, fear, or ignorance.

Poor people and working people have not been the focus of the Obama administration. That for me is not just a disappointment but a kind of betrayal.