As a black woman, I have no particular interest in maintaining the status quo. Why would I? The status quo is harmful; the status quo is significantly racist and sexist and a whole bunch of other things that I think need to change. -- N. K. Jemisin

Some suggestions for you :

We were a family who had come from nothing and now we had respect from French people of all sorts.

When I write something, every word of it is meant. I can't say it enough.

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.

The cure for the pain is in the pain.

Everybody has to believe in something… I believe I'll have another drink.

Music was important. Football was the easy part.

It is not in words that I should wish my life to be distinguished, but rather in things done.

When I get married, it'll be no secret.

Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't come to yours.

Work is the curse of the drinking classes.

When ghetto living seems normal, you have no shame, no privacy.

All I have learned, I learned from books.

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.

Those who cry the loudest are not always the ones who are hurt the most.