“Without willing it, I had gone from being ignorant of being ignorant to being aware of being aware. And the worst part of my awareness was that I didn't know what I was aware of. I knew I knew very little, but I was certain that the things I had yet to learn wouldn't be taught to me at George Washington High School. ”

“No human being can be more human than another human being. I liberate you from my ignorance.”

“If growing up is painful for the Southern Black girl, being aware of her displacement is the rust on the razor that threatens the throat. It is an unnecessary insult.”

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”

“If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed.”

“In all my work what I try to say is that as human beings we are more alike than we are unalike.”

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”