"Maybe we should talk about art. Tito's got real talent, don't you think? You know something? I saw a picture just lik…"

"So when you're dead, you'll get respect, that what you think? [murmurs of "yeah" from the class] You know what's gonn…"

"An "F"? What, are ya trippin'?"

"[repeated line] All right, guys and gals, listen up!"

"[after Marcus calls her "his hero"] Oh no. No, no, young man, no, I am not a hero. No, I did what I had to do because…"

"My brother taught me what the life is for a young black man. Pimp, deal, whatever. Learn what colors to wear. Gang ba…"

"She can't even look at me because I look like my dad."

"I was having trouble deciding what candy I wanted. Then I heard gunshots. I looked down to see that one of my friends…"

"Nobody cares what I do. Why should I bother coming to school?"

"I don't even know how this war started. It's just two sides that tripped each other way back. Who cares about the his…"