“I’m extremely optimistic about rapid transformation and change of things in Africa in general.”

I love playing with words and texture.

I, like all artists in Western cultures, am a shaman…come in the guise of a comic…to heal perception by using…’jokes’.

I, Binyavanga Wainaina, quite honestly swear I have known I am a homosexual since I was five.

Africa is to be pitied, worshipped or dominated

I believe in, and will to the best of my ability fight for, equal rights and freedom of opinion for everyone, regardless of colour, religion, nationality, orientation – you know the rest.

A stretch of my body would surely stretch as far as the sky. The whole universe poised, and I am the agent of any movement.

All people have dignity. Theres nobody who was born without a soul and a spirit.

I like the idea of readers feeling a familiarity, whether its with Africa or childhood.

People reach an age… where somebody elses platform is no longer yours.

Everywhere I go, I see young people: Confident, forward looking. I have seen them in Lagos, in Rwanda, in the suburbs of London.

Amidst sorrows, the only thing that enlivens us is optimistic faith. Never lose that faith.

I was born to teach. I have always had this gift with children.

I think revolution is always a little bit possible. I think it won’t look or sound anything like what we would expect. But I think revolution is very difficult, and I’m not optimistic for any kind of dramatic change.

Stop being so optimistic. It’s getting on my nerves.

I’m pretty optimistic about the future of rock… it will be back to composition as in classical music or jazz.

I don’t have any regrets because I’m very optimistic, and live each day as though it’s the last.

My parents said marrying was an optimistic thing to do in pessimistic times.

Stop being so optimistic, its getting on my nerves. No problem. Do you want me to be all gloom and doom or just shut up? Just shut up. Can do. Really? Doesn’t seem like it.