There is a price to pay for most of our actions. For every action, there is a reaction.

I feel that sometimes, holding yourself as black, saying that is your sole identity, can sometimes stand in your way of being a member of the humanity of man, being a member of the family of the divine.

I feel that if you can transcend the color of your skin, with your talent, why carry that as a badge or a label?

As human beings, when we're young, we're not jaded. As we grow older, we begin to take on ideas of our parents, family of origins and that changes us. We become less fluid sometimes. So for me, I look for roles that are uplifting in many ways - no matter what the race or color of the role is. I want to go beyond that and try to share what I think my gift is and that is we all have this gift of choice. We just don't sometimes realize we have that choice.

It was amazing to be nominated by the Academy who saw fit for me to be nominated for best supporting actor. The Critic's choice award was wonderful. I'm on cloud nine.

I have from time to time been a double A or triple A personality. I'm not anymore. I'm more lenient on myself.

Who told you to step on my sneakers? Who told you to walk on my side of the block? Who told you to be in my neighborhood?