Only when the mind is free has the body a chance to be free. Yes, they must believe, they must believe. Because I know what it means to be a slave. I am a slave.

Only when the mind is free has the body a chance to be free. Yes, they must believe, they must believe. Because I know what it means to be a slave. I am a slave.

I wanted to be a writer. I wanted to say something about home.

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

I knew I wanted to be a writer and I knew if I had a wife and family, I would neglect something, and I was afraid it wouldn't be the writing.

We wait till now? Now, when we're old men, we get to be brave?

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