Courage is a decision you make to act in a way that works through your own fear for the greater good as opposed to pure self-interest. Courage means putting at risk your immediate self-interest for what you believe is right.

A rule without exceptions is an instrument capable of doing mischief to the innocent and bringing grief - as well as injustice - to those who should gain exemptions from the rule's functioning.

The challenge throughout has been to tell what I view as the truth about racism without causing disabling despair.

However self-sufficient we may fancy ourselves, we exist only in relation - to our friend, family, and life partners; to those we teach and mentor; to our coworkers, neighbors, strangers; and even to forces we cannot fully conceive of, let alone define. In many ways, we are our relationships.

My wife says I spend my life trying to teach white folks. I'm not so sure I'm proud of it, but she's right.

Education leads to enlightenment. Enlightenment opens the way to empathy. Empathy foreshadows reform.

All ethical people strive to choose "right" over "easy" when confronted by situations that force them to choose one or the other.