Thus we lived through a major war. The questions in the ghettos was, can we make it through a minor peace?

The crushing insecurity of youth, and the built-in suspicion between the sexes, militate against the survival of the species, and yet, men do legalize their poking, and women do get revenge their whole lives through for the desperate days of insecurity and bear children so that the whole process remains in process.
Alas.

Self pity in its early stage is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable

Never let white folks know what you really think. If you’re sad, laugh. If you’re bleeding inside, dance.