Forgiveness is a big part of - especially post-civil rights movement - is a big part of African-American Christianity, and I wasn't raised within the Christian church; I wasn't raised within any church.
I didn't start off as a journalist; I started off as a poet. My ambition was to practise poetry. Then I found journalism, but that other voice never fled from me.
I was 24 when Samori was born. His mom was 23.
My father was so very afraid. I felt it in the sting of his black leather belt, which he applied with more anxiety than anger, my father who beat me as if someone might steal me away, because that was exactly what was happening all around us.
My belief is in the chaos of the world and that you have to find your peace within the chaos and that you still have to find some sort of mission.
I love America the way I love my family - I was born into it. And there's no escape out of it.