I had come to feel that my mother's love for me was designed solely to make me into an echo of her; and I didn't know why, but I felt that I would rather be dead than become just an echo of someone.

This naming of things is so crucial to possession - a spiritual padlock with the key thrown irretrievably away - that it is a murder, an erasing, and it is not surprising that when people have felt themselves prey to it (conquest), among their first acts of liberation is to change their names.

There's a difference between bravery and rash stupidity.

It's very funny, American society: White culture can do all sorts of things and get away with it, but the minute a black person does it, it's interpreted in some way.

When once I got to America I fell in love with hippie culture, and I've always wanted to live in the country and grow organic vegetables.

Time is the element that controls the consciousness, the very being of the people.

I suppose you could say I love outlaw American culture.