I did what I knew.. when I knew better, I did better

For a person who grew up in the '30s and '40s in the segregated South, with so many doors closed without explanation to me, libraries and books said, 'Here I am, read me.' Over time I have learned I am at my best around books.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

All my work, my life, everything I do is about survival, not just bare, awful, plodding survival, but survival with grace and faith. While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated.

The honorary duty of a human being is to love.

Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.

The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.