And I remember the last time I came back from India in my long white flowing robes and my big beard and my John Lennon glasses and I said to my father, Dad, I think I've just about found spiritual enlightenment.

Yes, the Ramallah government refused to issue me a passport for reasons of security , because I represent a danger, due to my political or work affiliations, or because of the colour of my beard or because I'm from Gaza.

And I went in for a job interview in the Richmond Public Schools in Virginia, the capital city, bought a three piece suit my concession to convention kept my long beard and my afro and my platform shoes at the time it was the '70s and I walked in, and I sat down and had an interview.