One consequence of racism and segregation is that many American whites know little or nothing about the daily lives of African Americans. Black America's least-understood communities are those poor, hyper-segregated places we once called ghettos. These neighborhoods are not far away, but they might as well be on the moon.

I find it very frustrating how much passing the buck there is in the criminal justice system when it comes to taking responsibility for outcomes.

I clerked for a judge, William Norris, on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals right after law school and then for Justice O'Connor the next year.

There can be racism in a system even if a particular episode of injustice is not a manifestation of that racism. Every single thing in the criminal justice system is not a manifestation of racism, but many things are.

Education remains the key to both economic and political empowerment.

Music is an element that should be part and parcel of every child's life via the education system.

Inclusion and transparency have been mainstays of my leadership. It's about education and reaching out.

We recommend for the training of teachers not only a considerable artistic education in general but special attention to the art of reading.