Language instruction should start in the first grade. Writing, also.

I try to impress upon my students the importance of looking, listening... paying attention, in other words. You must pay attention.

We just didn't put any pressure on each other, and I think that everybody needs somebody, and I didn't do it to try to do it; it's what we [with Nina Simone] were to each other.

We are strong enough to stand tall tearlessly, we are brave enough to bend to cry, and we are sad enough to know that we must laugh again.

The nature of tragedy and accident is that we cannot predict.

Death is a slave's freedom.

You must be unintimidated by your own thoughts.