Many of our friends on the left would have us believe that all black people want their kids bused out of the inner cities. [But] what they want from busing is quality. If we could make predominantly black schools excellent, would that be a satisfactory goal? I say yes, because I don't think there's anything magic about being around white people.
- Henry Louis Gates Jr., "Black, White and Brown," reported by SAM TANENHAUS, new york times May 16, 2004
posted May 16, 2004 in print