Perhaps it is time to debate culture. The common story is that in "real" African culture, before it was tainted by the west, gender roles were rigid and women were contentedly oppressed.

Never ever accept 'Because You Are A Woman' as a reason for doing or not doing anything.

The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.

We teach girls shame; close your legs, cover yourself, we make them feel as though by being born female they're already guilty of something.

To choose to write is to reject silence.

Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.

If you start thinking about being likable you are not going to tell your story honestly.

There are people who dislike you because you do not dislike yourself.

Our society teaches a woman at a certain age who is unmarried to see it as a deep personal failure. While a man at a certain age who is unmarried has not quite come around to making his pick.

Privilege blinds, because it's in its nature to blind. Don't let it blind you too often. Sometimes you will need to push it aside in order to see clearly.

Culture does not make people. People make culture.

My father had bought him a shirtthat said “Sure you can date my daughter.  In a completely unrelated topic, have you seen my shotgun?

Parenting is no sport for perfectionists.

I have never made fun of religion. Religion is something I don't even want to mess with, because I am really afraid of the clouds opening up and my being struck by lightning.

Thinking should be done beforehand and afterwards - never while actually taking a photograph.

If you are not thinking correctly, you are not living correctly. What you believe will determine how you behave.

I think that's very important for romantic comedies, that they do deal with [modern]issues.

Women have nine months more experience than you do - nine months to prepare for being a parent.

I never understood a word John Cassavetes said. And I think he did that deliberately.

What were they thinking? 'It's an alien apocalypse! Quick, grab the beer!