The outside world told black kids when I was growing up that we weren't worth anything. But our parents said it wasn't so, and our churches and our schoolteachers said it wasn't so. They believed in us, and we, therefore, believed in ourselves.

Understand and be confident that each of us can make a difference by caring and acting in small as well as big ways.

People who don't vote have no line of credit with people who are elected and thus pose no threat to those who act against our interests.

Unless children have strong education and strong families and strong communities and decent housing, it's not enough to go sit in at a lunch counter.

No time is ever wasted if you have a book along as a companion.

I try to act out of faith.

Justice is not cheap. Justice is not quick. It is not ever finally achieved.