The ordinary can be like medicine.

You can't sustain [anger]. You become bitter. Nothing's going to change. Anger leads to resentment, then to spiking your orange juice, then to martyrdom.

When are we left-wingers going to learn that we are losing the cultural and political battle with conservatives because we are fractured into narcissistic special-interest groups? Why should an antiwar protestor be so concerned about her dietary identity? The political opinions of vegetarians and meat-eaters are, after all, equally important. And what does it tell us about vegetarians that it would never occur to meat-eaters to carry a sign that reads "Pacifist Pork Chop Lover for Peace" or "Backyard Rib Barbecuer for International Nuclear Disarmament"?

Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community.

When you construct a mix tape, the first song you come out with has to be a barnburner.

I had the feeling I was going to be successful, and I didn't want to be another disappointing Indian.

I thought I’d been condescended to as an Indian - that was nothing compared to the condescension for writing Y.A.