I have learned as much about writing about my people by listening to blues and jazz and spirituals as I have by reading novels.

All writers write about the past, and I try to make it come alive so you can see what happened.

But let us say he was (guilty). Let us for a moment say he was (guilty). What justice would there be to take his life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this.

Nietzsche said without music, life would be a mistake. To me, without books, life would be a mistake.

What I miss today more than anything else - I don't go to church as much anymore - but that old-time religion, that old singing, that old praying which I love so much. That is the great strength of my being, of my writing.

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?

Don't tell me to believe. Don't tell me to believe in the same God or laws that men believe in who commit these murders. Don't tell me to believe that God can bless this country and that men are judged by their peers. Who among his peers judged him? Was I there? Was the minister there? Was Harry Williams there? Was Farrell Jarreau? Was my aunt? Was Vivian? No, his peers did not judge him, and I will not believe.