[My mother] wanted to go as deep as possible into the world of religion. And that took her into Judaism.

My mother converted, my mom converted to Judaism.

I love ebola jokes. When done in the right way, maybe it gets people to learn about ebola, to learn about the stigmas behind the identities held by Africans and so on.

Living with my mom, I saw how she used language to cross boundaries, handle situations, navigate the world.

[Languages] became a tool that served me my whole life.

I'm coming from a place where I have seen a different way to handle it, or a slightly different way to go through what is happening, that gives me some perspective. So I think it always helps. It always helps to have someone who has traveled the world or seen a different way to do something. That helps give you perspective.

No one knows what Donald Trump is doing or planning.