You can not describe anything without betraying your point of view, your aspirations, your fears, your hopes. - James Baldwin

Perhaps the turning point in one's life is realizing that to be treated like a victim is not necessarily to become one. (1984)

But, when the chips are down, its better to be furious with someone you love, or frightened for someone you love, than be put through the merciless horror of being ashamed of someone you love.

All for the first time, in the days when acts had no consequences and nothing was irrecoverable, and love was simple and even pain had the dignity of enduring forever: it was unimaginable that time could do anything to diminish it.