Black people are the magical faces at the bottom of society's well. Even the poorest whites, those who must live their lives only a few levels above, gain their self-esteem by gazing down on us. Surely, they must know that their deliverance depends on letting down their ropes. Only by working together is escape possible. Over time, many reach out, but most simply watch, mesmerized into maintaining their unspoken commitment to keeping us where we are, at whatever cost to them or to us (Bell).

My wife says I spend my life trying to teach white folks. I'm not so sure I'm proud of it, but she's right.

The challenge throughout has been to tell what I view as the truth about racism without causing disabling despair.

Courage is a decision you make to act in a way that works through your own fear for the greater good as opposed to pure self-interest. Courage means putting at risk your immediate self-interest for what you believe is right.

Power in the hands of the reformer is no less potentially corrupting than in the hands of the oppressor.