Quote

I know who I am and what I'm doing in my life and what I've accomplished and continue to accomplish as a performer, as a writer, as an artist, as a person, as a human being.

My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all.

I try to put all I am as a person into what I do. My intelligence, my emotion. I've done that in everything.

People are always wondering if I am an artist or political activist or politician. Maybe I'll just clearly tell you: Whatever I do is not art. Let's say it is just objects or materials, movies or writing, but not art, OK?

Now I'm not an author, I'm a writer, that's all I am.

I try to stay a civilian, to live as a human, not as a poet.

I am not quite a poet but I am something of the kind.

I'm an artist, I'm not an activist.