The absence of diverse voices leads to policies and programs that adversely impact African-Americans.

I think calling what Paul Ryan is doing a 'budget' is lending some validity to it. It is not a budget. If it were a budget, he could justify his revenue projections, he could justify his cuts, and he can't. This is a scheme to rob the poor and give to the rich.

If leadership is something that is in-your-face, then that is a different type of leadership.

The Office of Congressional Ethics was created to provide more transparency in the House of Representatives. It was a commendable goal.

Education is not Democrat versus Republican. It's about doing the right things for the right reason for our kids.

I once went to a fraternity house when I was in high school... you know, you would rent them during the summer for really cheap, and students are in there. So I met some people who rented a room. I just remember it being very dirty.

I did things like get in a cupboard before the teacher came in at the beginning of a lesson, and then, two minutes before the end of the class, I come out of the cupboard and go, 'Sorry I'm late.'

Writing is such a 'pretend' profession. Nobody is counting on you at all. You can't 'pretend' to be a lawyer or a teacher. It takes a lot of grit to continue.