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

My life is not packaged, Not tidy. There are leftover strands and jagged Edges that cut even my friends.

the beast is the monster that destroys your dream

When I began to read, I began to exist

If what I read doesn't reflect my life - whether I'm gay or Latino or on welfare - doesn't that really mean that my life is not valuable?

No matter what...ball made my heart beat faster, made me want to jump up and down and be Superman. That's what life was about anyway, being Superman and living like life itself was important. Basketball made my life important.

I would enjoy having dinner with the poet/playwright Derek Walcott.