I write because I am a Black woman, listening attentively to her people.

We need to haunt the house of history and listen anew to the ancestors' wisdom.

Don't let the man bring you down.

I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.

I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself. It is very important for every human being to forgive herself or himself because if you live, you will make mistakes - it is inevitable. But once you do and you see the mistake, then you forgive yourself and say, 'Well, if I'd known better I'd have done better,' that's all.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. People know themselves much better than you do. That's why it's important to stop expecting them to be something other than who they are