I cannot be an optimist but I am a prisoner of hope.

We live in a predatory capitalist society in which everything is for sale. Everybody is for sale, so there is ubiquitous commodification - be it of music, food, people, or parking meters.

John Coltrane was an addict; Billie Holiday was an addict; Eugene O'Neill was an addict. What would America be without addicts and post-addicts who make such grand contributions to our society?

When black America is on the move, America is on the move.

Reelection ought not to be the primary preoccupation of any politician. It ought to be standing up for truth and justice.

Affirmative action is something that I think is very crucial and necessary.

We need to put strong Democratic pressure on President Obama in the name of poor and working people.