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I have spent a great deal of my life being part of minorities. Some of the people I admire the most in the world have had the courage to defend, against wind and tide, minority viewpoints in those frightening times when any disagreement with universal conformity is identified as treason.

The right of a minority is so important in a democracy.

We in the United States believe in the protection of minorities; we recognize the contributions that they can make and the leadership that they can provide; and we do not believe that any people - whether majority or minority, or individual human beings - are 'expendable' in the cause of theory or of policy.

Minorities have a right to appeal to the Constitution as a shield against such oppression.

I think that affirmative action programs can be very important.

George W. Bush brought a lot of minorities into his administration, which was a positive thing, and they had some issues that they wanted to press, but 9/11 really gave them direction. It gave them a purpose.

It is no less the duty of the minority than a majority to endeavour to defend the country.

It's also important for those who promote those issues within the white community - the somewhat privileged community - to talk about issues affecting people of color.

The recognition of rights for women and minorities became a large part of my understanding of what this country is all about.

I have been a long and strong supporter of civil rights in my whole career. I led the fight to get the voting rights act re-enacted. I have been a strong supporter of affirmative action. I believe in it strongly.