“Black Lives Matter is really an affirmation for our people. It's a lov...” — Opal Tometi Quote

“Black Lives Matter is really an affirmation for our people. It's a love note for our people, but it's also a demand. We know that the system was not designed for justice for us.”

“The U.S. has long characterized Haitian immigrants as criminals. This tradition began in 1963 when the first boat of Haitians seeking political asylum was summarily rejected by U.S. immigration officials, while at the same time the U.S. admitted thousands of Cubans as refugees and political asylees.”

“Black immigrants and refugees have just as much at stake in the fight to make Black Lives Matter as African Americans do.”

“I know what it's like to feel that fear and the need of affirmation and appreciation. To build confidence in yourself is the toughest thing.”

“A lot of the themes that I write about are an affirmation of our existence on earth and making people feel like they are not alone, and making them feel like it is OK to be a little bit insane. That has always been sort of my credo in life.”

“Belief is not restricted to a brief affirmation based on imitation; rather, it has degrees and stages of development. It is like a seed growing into a fully grown, fruit-bearing tree; like the sun's image in a mirror or in a drop of water to its images on the sea's surface and to the sun itself.”