Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.

More from Maya Angelou

• I answer the question, 'Death, where is thy sting?' with here in my heart and mind and memories.
• Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, 'I am with you kid. Let's go!'
• Most plain girls are virtuous because of the scarcity of opportunity to be otherwise.
• There is no agony like bearing an untold story inside of you.
• You may write me down in history / With your bitter, twisted lies, / You may trod me in the very dirt / But still, like dust, I'll rise.
• Just like moons and like suns, / With the certainty of tides, / Just like hopes springing high, / Still I'll rise.