He told us that most of us would die violently, and those who did not would be brought down to the level of beasts.

I want you to show them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be.

I have no more to say except this: We must live with our own conscience.

I write to try to find out who I am. One of my main themes is manliness. I think I'm trying to figure out what manliness really is.

Without love for my fellow man and respect for nature, to me, life is an obscenity.

I was raised by a lady that was crippled all her life but she did everything for me and she raised me. She washed our clothes, cooked our food, she did everything for us. I don't think I ever heard her complain a day in her life. She taught me responsibility towards my brother and sisters and the community.

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