Аrt movements are always linked to some kind of turmoil.

It's hard for black women to ask for help. We think we don't need it. We're used to being in pain and living with it.

Art movements are always linked to some kind of turmoil. We can look at history and see that [political turmoil is] fertile ground for art. I also think that it gives artists something, a way of kind of processing. My friends and I have all been super motivated to work and to do the work that we need to and want to and think should be in the world. Hard times are really a fire under your ass to prioritize and think, "Okay, how can I challenge myself to put something in the world that wasn't there that can reach other folks and help them to process"?

I always say that my artist statement is to not be afraid to talk about the messiness - the unpleasant feelings and happenings around my life.

We can look at history and see that [political turmoil is] fertile ground for art.

I guess the only thing I'd say is it ['There are More Beautiful Things Than Beyoncé?'] shouldn't be read as "Beyoncé is not beautiful."

I spent a lot of time trying to layer upon layer upon layer as I wrote. I think that's often the fear of a writer, that little nuances won't get picked up.