So many people of color who made major contributions to American history have been trapped in the purgatory of history.

We must begin to understand the nature of intertextuality . . . the manner by which texts poems and novels respond to other texts. After all, all cats may be black at night, but not to other cats.

One principle I've been fighting for that doesn't endear me to a lot of people is that black people can be just as complicated and screwed up as white people. Our motives can be just as base and violent. Suffering does not necessarily ennoble you.

I think that the roots of racism have always been economic, and I think people are desperate and scared. And when you're desperate and scared you scapegoat people. It exacerbates latent tendencies toward - well, toward racism or homophobia or anti-Semitism.

Ever since I watched 'Roots,' I've dreamed of tracing my African ancestry and helping other people do the same.

My grandfather was coloured, my father was Negro, and I am Black.

It's fascinating how life works.