I kind of think that artists throughout history, poets throughout history have been criticized for sharing what's on people's minds and I don't think it's any different now.

Well, it's the last step of the Civil Rights Movement: you know, wrap your hands around some money.

I just try to, in my own way, contribute to making a better Hollywood, to move Hollywood to be a leader in social justice, as it always has been, and not to have any holes in their own backyard while they continue to push for equality and all the things that they always stand up for.

It is only through opening your hearts will you be able to see that by promoting freedom for all, you are unchaining yourself. I guess I'm an optimist. I have faith in people and our government ultimately to do the right thing. And to my brothers and sisters in California, I'm there with you every step of the way until that day comes...

What holds most people back isn't the quality of their ideas, but their lack of faith in themselves.

There are no failures, only quitters.

People will always blame the poets for society's ills. But these are the true artists.