Quote

My writing has been largely concerned with the depicting of Negro life in America.

I do consider myself part of black history.

From infancy, I have relied on the fiercely sweet spirits of black men; and this is abundantly clear in my work.

My work sometimes can be abstract and appear not to have a direct relationship to Afro-American concerns, but, in fact, it is based on that.

As a black woman, my politics and political affiliation are bound up with and flow from participation in my people's struggle for liberation, and with the fight of oppressed people all over the world against American imperialism.

For African-American people, I am in the business of inventing a reality that gives a different perspective - on history, on crime, on art, on love.

When I think of the trials and tribulations that black men go through in America and that black artists went through, I feel very privileged.

I am viewed as the Negro who has gone outside of the categories assigned to me.

In fact, the class divide in the black community is now seen by some as a permanent aspect of our existence.

Somehow, I realized I could write books about black characters who reflected my own experiences or otherworldly experiences - not just stories of history, poverty and oppression.