The difference between that which is humane and that which is patriotic is a vital difference.

Anything I have ever learned of any consequence, I have learned from Black people. I have never been bored by any Black person, ever.

The formula for creative writing in high school or college is write what you know.

Unless carefree, mother love was a killer.

We mistook violence for passion, indolence for leisure, and thought recklessness was freedom.

It was a fine cry - loud and long - but it had no bottom and it had no top, just circles and circles of sorrow.

It had been the longest time since she had had a rib-scraping laugh. She had forgotten how deep and down it could be. So different from the miscellaneous giggles and smiles she had learned to be content with these past few years.