When we think of war, the tendency is to picture young soldiers only in their military roles. To a large extent this dehumanizes the soldiers and makes it easier for society to commit them to combat.

Each of us is born with a history already in place

Can you become The hope I need? Can you help me be More than it is written in my future Or past? Is there another me to find?

Yeah, that's funny, huh?...Something hurts you real bad and you get used to it. Like being hurt becomes part of who you are.

I write in a small office at home.

Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?

The idea of voluntary segregation went against every value I had been taught. What did being born black have to do with excellence?