“I think some aspects of writing can be taught. Obviously, you can’t teach vision or talent. But you can help with comfort.”

You are your best thing.

I didn’t want to speak for black people. I wanted to speak to and to be among. It’s us.

I’ve spent my entire writing life trying to make sure that the white gaze was not the dominant one in any of my books.

Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.

Lonely was much better than alone.

Anything dead coming back to life hurts.

I type in one place, but I write all over the house.

There is an incredible amount of magic and feistiness in black men that nobody has been able to wipe out. But everybody has tried.

Writing is really a way of thinking–not just feeling but thinking about things that are disparate, unresolved, mysterious, problematic or just sweet.

There is really nothing more to say-except why. But since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how.

I get angry about things, then go on and work.

When there is pain, there are no words. All pain is the same.

As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.

You need a whole community to raise a child. I have raised two children, alone.

You are your own stories.

I don’t think one parent can raise a child. I don’t think two parents can raise a child. You really need the whole village.

Life doesn’t allow you to feel comfortable when you are limiting yourself.

I am not comfortable walking the ramp for just any designer. I am particular about who I associate with.

I don’t wish to be without my brains, tho’ they doubtless interfere with a blind faith which would be very comfortable.

The wisest thing to do if you’re living in hell is to make yourself comfortable.

Love is cheering and sharing and compassion and giving and receiving. Love is an action thing more than a word thing, that brings comfort or joy or relief to anyone or anything.

The best fashion advice I’d say would be just to do what makes you comfortable and what makes you feel cute, and that’s how you’re gonna look your best ’cause when you feel your best, everybody else can feel it, too.

I really believe that you have to earn things. I don’t feel comfortable unless I have worked really hard.

You are in danger of living a life so comfortable and soft that you will die without ever realizing your true potential.