I will no longer act on the outside in a way that contradicts the truth that I hold deeply inside. I will no longer act as if I were less than the whole person I know myself inwardly to be.

I thought about Emmett Till, and I could not go back. My legs and feet were not hurting, that is a stereotype. I paid the same fare as others, and I felt violated. I was not going back.

I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.

All I was trying to do was get home from work.

I do the very best I can to look upon life with optimism and hope and looking forward to a better day, but I don't think there is anything such as complete happiness. It pains me that there is still a lot of Klan activity and racism. I think when you say you're happy, you have everything that you need and everything that you want, and nothing more to wish for. I haven't reached that stage yet.

When people made up their minds that they wanted to be free and took action, then there was a change.

If I stayed angry at other people, I would miss finding friends among those I was angry with.