I get up in the morning, and I'm reluctant to turn on the television.

I’ve got a magic charm That I keep up my sleeve, I can walk the ocean floor And never have to breathe.

The idea of overcoming is always fascinating to me. It's fascinating because few of us realize how much energy we have expended just to be here today. I don't think we give ourselves enough credit for the overcoming.

I think all poems are commissioned. They just come to me without somebody outside commissioning them. The idea comes and I will live with them 'til I get it as close to what I mean. I've never been totally satisfied. I've come close a few times.

I think music is one of the hero/sheroes of the African-American existence.

The truth is very important. No matter how negative it is, it is imperative that you learn the truth, not necessarily the facts. I mean, that, that can come, but facts can stand in front of the truth and almost obscure the truth. It is imperative that students learn the truth of our history.

Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.