Vivian: Why did you want a course in Black history in the first place?
Will: Because I'm interested in it.
Vivian: Are you really?
Will: Of course.
Vivian: Well, you didn't seem too happy about all the work I was giving you. I mean, weren't you the one who said if you were interested in something, you would study hard?
Will: Aunt Viv, I read The Autobiography of Malcolm X three times.
Vivian: And that makes you a serious student on Black history?
Will: That's a very important book.
Vivian: Will, baby, you can read that book, you can wear the T-shirts, you can put up the posters, and shout the slogans, but unless you know all the history behind it you're trivializing the entire struggle. Now you started something very good here but it's up to you, baby, to follow through on it.

Hilary: Geoffrey, I'm going on my first job interview at an art gallery and I need some advice. You've been on a lot of job interviews, haven't you?
Geoffrey: Why, yes, Miss Hilary. I've worked my entire life.
Hilary: Really? Why?
Geoffrey: Because I've always been partial to food and shelter.

Kellogg: Secret code? What do you mean?
Vivian: Well, first of all, can anyone tell me what the Underground Railroad was?
Will: Now, this one I know. The Underground Railroad was a group of people that led the slaves to freedom.
Vivian: And when was it established?
Will: During slavery.
Vivian: Well, that covers about 250 years, Mr. Smith. Care to narrow it down a bit?
Will: What do you mean, right now?
Vivian: Sit down, Mr. Smith. It was established during the 1840s. Harriet Tubman, an ex-slave, was one of the leaders. Now, these gospel songs were actually secret messages sent to tell the runaway slaves how to get to freedom. For example, "the drinking gourd" referred to the Big Dipper. When the slaves sang Follow the Drinking Gourd, that signaled to the runaway slaves to run towards the Big Dipper. Along the route, they would meet with the abolitionist and escape to freedom.
Will: Well, that's what I meant.