73 Quotes by Darryl Pinckney

I think at the beginning of one’s writing life, negative reviews are what one does to get attention and stake out your territory. It’s also often a mistake.

In the 19th century, Berlin was called the German Chicago. Or Chicago was called the American Berlin because they were sort of new cities or new powerhouses.

It’s important for the progressive youth to remember that the agenda you set today is the agenda that will matter tomorrow. If you are engaged and active, it means you are one of the lucky ones and you are awake. Most people are not there yet.

It’s not true that voting doesn’t make a difference. To check out is political suicide. This is especially true for our young black artists. You don’t want to inadvertently end up doing someone’s bidding.

When you’re writing fiction it’s a heightened voice. You’re trying to cast a spell, which isn’t the same thing as trying to cast someone into it. You are creating a reality but it’s a different sort of performance.

Marriage equality is a very middle-class issue and voting rights is a very working-class issue. If you do not vote, who are you speaking for? Who will be the next Fannie Lou Hamer? If not you or someone you know, then who?

You can get away with anything as long as it works.

The hardest thing about Berlin is letting it belong to other people.

IN the book of my heart, pages keep falling out, many of them marked “Mom and Dad.