The images that people see in the media of black people - whether journalistic or narrative - remain horrible. And those images, combined with the lack of respect among black people in the poorer neighborhoods for themselves, and the part the police and other people coming into those neighborhoods play, it creates no value for life.

More than a non-acting director, I think I notice when an actor is not believing in themselves. Chicago actors in particular, they work very hard and are very talented, but sometimes they don't trust how talented they are. I notice when they keep something in reserve.

Racism is a common thread among people of color, even though each experience with it is different.

The beauty of doing a series is that, over the course of time, it's like peeling an onion. You're able to reveal these layers, more and more. You just don't want to reveal too much, too soon.

If hell comes as a result of my speaking the truth, then let it come.

I think that in some ways there is no more important thing in my life outside of family and God.

I think that one thing that America is guilty of is not ever apologizing for the greatest sin of the country, which is slavery.