I think black Americans expect too much from individual black Americans in terms of changing the status quo.

I think race has been a burden for black Americans. Being Muslim has also been a challenge because so many people do not understand Islam.

In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There's so much more to the story.

The status quo sucks.

I don't accept the status quo. I do accept Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.

I wore black because I liked it. I still do, and wearing it still means something to me. It's still my symbol of rebellion -- against a stagnant status quo, against our hypocritical houses of God, against people whose minds are closed to others' ideas.