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Black people don't have an accurate idea of their history, which has been either suppressed or distorted.

In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There's so much more to the story.

I do consider myself part of black history.

Black history isn't a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand that. It has such an impact on kids and their values and how they view black people.

Why would you create a movie for black people if you don't understand the history and perspective of the people you are doing it for? You need historical perspective to make sound decisions.

It was necessary, as a black historian, to have a personal agenda.

Black history is American history.

The history of blacks is complicated, fragmented, disturbing to contemplate - not a neat trail of challenges met or of felled trees blocking the path to the mountain top.

I think all in all, one thing a lot of plays seem to be saying is that we need to, as black Americans, to make a connection with our past in order to determine the kind of future we're going to have. In other words, we simply need to know who we are in relation to our historical presence in America.