I am a product of affirmative action. I am the perfect affirmative action baby. I am Puerto Rican, born and raised in the south Bronx. My test scores were not comparable to my colleagues at Princeton and Yale. Not so far off so that I wasn't able to succeed at those institutions.

This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.

I've spent my whole life learning how to do things that were hard for me.

The best I could say about third grade was that it was a more or less continuous state of dread.

I'm a New Yorker, and I jaywalk with the best of them.

The President [Barack Obama] had suggested that I not watch the news during the confirmation process. I assiduously followed his advice.

Don't mistake politeness for lack of strength.