I think race has been a burden for black Americans. Being Muslim has also been a challenge because so many people do not understand Islam.

I don't know if I was the baddest. People kind of saw me in that light.

What I have is P.H. positive chronic myeloid leukemia, which is an aberration in your white blood cells.

I got all A's and was hated for it; I spoke correctly and was called a punk.

When I traveled through Greece in the '90s, everything [Albert Hoxie] taught me came flooding back and I was able to appreciate the art and culture much more because of him.

I feel like I've always been a full-time historian, but nobody knows it.

I need about three seats lengthwise to sleep on a plane. It's not easy for me to curl up.