James McBride:
When my mother was — married my father and had us, and we'd go on the subway and so forth, people would call her names.
Like, I remember, one time in the subway, and somebody went at her calling her N-lover and all this crap. And we got off the train. And, later on I said — I said: "Ma, why do you — why do you — you can't let people talk to you like that."
She said: "Their names can't hurt me. I'm happy. I just — what — did you do your homework? Where is your homework?"
She didn't care. She already — her world was good. Self-definition is the first step towards self-control and peace. Now, that journey is difficult, I agree. And I have been through it. But, ultimately, the best way to be happy in that regard is to just appreciate everyone for who they are.
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