James McBride:
When my mom was — married my father and had us, and we would go on the subway and so forth, folks would name her names.
Like, I keep in mind, one time within the subway, and any individual went at her calling her N-lover and all this crap. And we obtained off the prepare. And, afterward I stated — I stated: “Ma, why do you — why do you — you possibly can’t let folks discuss to you want that.”
She stated: “Their names cannot damage me. I am pleased. I simply — what — did you do your homework? The place is your homework?”
She did not care. She already — her world was good. Self-definition is step one in the direction of self-control and peace. Now, that journey is troublesome, I agree. And I’ve been by it. However, in the end, one of the best ways to be pleased in that regard is to simply recognize everybody for who they’re.