"The paradox of education is precisely this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated."

"People who believe that they are white, and act on that belief, have to remain in a state of moral arrest."

"I’ve been trying for some time to make people realize that America is not an innocent country."

"You can't live in this country and be a black man and not be angry."

"You can't be a writer and be in the world and not be political. You can't be a writer and be in the world and not be a human being."