...you cannot value dreams according to the odds of their coming true. The real value is in stirring within us the will to aspire.

I have come to believe that in order to thrive, a child must have at least one adult in her life who shows her unconditional love, respect, and confidence.

I was fifteen years old when I understood how it is that things break down: people can't imagine someone else's point of view.

Dressing badly has been a refuge much of my life, a way of compelling others to engage with my mind, not my physical presence. Page. 283

I would warn any minority student today against the temptations of self-segregation: take support and comfort from your own group as you can, but don’t hide within it.

In my experience when a friend unloaded about a boyfriend or spouse, the listener soaked up the complaint and remembered it long after the speaker had forgiven the offense.

[T]he more critical lesson I learned that day is still one too many kids never figure out: don't be shy about making a teacher of any willing party who knows what he or she is doing.

I couldn’t even tell if I had any sadness of my own, because I was so full of Abuelita’s sadness.

... a surplus of effort could overcome a deficit of confidence. Page 115

I accepted what the Sisters taught in religion class: that God is loving, merciful, charitable, forgiving. That message didn't jibe with adults smacking kids.

Many of the gaps in my knowledge and understanding were simply limits of class and cultural background, not lack of aptitude or application as I feared. Page 135

At times we are the worst racist enemies of our black selves.

Every day were reborn.

She took a step and didn't want to take any more, but she did.

The people who are running this planet are insane - they are literally destroying it. I don't know where they think they're gonna drink water, breathe air.

The writing of histories - as Goethe once noted - is one way of getting rid of the weight of the past.... The writing of history liberates us from history.

"Women," he said in disgust. I wasn't sure whether we was referring to me or nuns.

That's what faith is - that belief that there's somebody there that's going to help you and push you and be that person that is there for you when you're in your deepest, darkest moment.

The problem with Western Christians is not that they aren't where they should be but that they aren't what they should be where they are.

Babe Ruth was not afraid to strike out. And it was this fearlessness that contributed to his remarkable career.

I'm very wary of news on television.