Photographers direct the eye toward a particular object. We who write, one hopes, are directing the heart and the soul.

A white face goes with a white mind. Occasionally a black face goes with a white mind. Very seldom a white face will have a black mind.

I think one of the nicest things that we created as a generation was just the fact that we could say, 'Hey, I don't like white people.'

I just think she was a wonderful woman. What I think of when I think of Nina [Simone] is someone that I could relate to, who didn't want anything from me, that could relate to me because I didn't want anything from her. It was nice.

[To become a poet] The most important thing is to pay attention. The next would probably be to read; it's so important to pay attention. It keeps you from being bored, and I might add it keeps you from being boorish.

Deal with yourself as a individual, worthy of respect and make everyone else deal with you the same way.

There are things you stand up for because it’s right.