I suppose that I inherited the same vocabulary and world view as most black Christians do, most Christians in general, to be sure. It was heterosexist in the sense that it took the heterosexual orientation as the norm from which to start as the given. And everything that fell outside of that was not acceptable.

I don't believe in that kind of American John Wayne individualism where people pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Someone changed your diapers. And if that's the case, you ain't self-made.

I'm nervous about the prospects of an America that refuses to abide by its best conscience and its best lights and its best angels.

We began to connect literacy and learning and the lively effects of biblical knowledge and preaching pretty early. That was a tremendous impact.

The writer's gift can make us see ourselves and our morals differently than our reality suggests.

My ambition didn't grow out of nowhere. It was planted in me by a community that nurtured me.

I guess I'm a Luddite.