Before we can work on the problems, we have to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation.

I was appearing on the reality show R&B Divas and when I started to fall apart it was very public. But I am glad that it happened that way. It made me see myself. And it made me transparent.

For me, surviving Compton is surviving the men, because Suge and Dre are from Compton. So in my world, in my mind, I survived their mentality.

There is still a lot of hard work that we as a country need to do. They can't look to any one individual, whether it's Barack or it's the next new hope that's going to appear to be that savior.

My most important title is still “mom-in-chief.

I would go back in time and do differently it is that. I would go back and ask, 'Why?' But I never did. I got up, he got up, we went on about our day. We never discussed the situation [with Dre]. Just, never.

We have this window of opportunity; we have a chance to make something real happen. Something possible happen, to live beyond our fear, think about that, and help us. Help lift us up, help us fight this fight to change, - transform - this country in a fundamental way. This chance won't come around again.