My feminism is humanism, with the weakest being those who I represent, and that includes many beings and life forms, including some men.

You know, we should have cards like the deaf have. "Can't talk, I'm writing today."

That's what you need for your writing - to learn how to be present, learn how to be calm. So take that nap, do that meditation.

She became politically conscious thanks to Studs Terkel and the radio. She started reading all the books we brought home from college and was a great fan of Noam Chomsky. She was a real lefty and yet was not able to meet her dream of becoming an artist. She got drafted into motherhood big time - seven kids - and that wasn't the life that she had planned. So she opened the path so that I could be the artist that she wanted to be.

It's so good for your health to take those naps. I don't know why people brag that they sleep five hours. I'd be ashamed. I'm proud that I sleep nine hours.

I'm learning a lot by reading teachers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Pema Chodron. They teach me because I feel like I have a responsibility to the communities that I speak to.

One way to get very humble is to dedicate the work you're going to do to your community.