Be nobody's darling; Be an outcast. Take the contradictions Of your life And wrap around You like a shawl, To parry stones To keep you warm.

It didn't take long to realize I didn't hardly know nothing. And that if you ast yourself why you black or a man or a woman or a bush it don't mean nothing if you don't ast why you here, period

To know is to exist; to exist is to be involved, to move about, to see the world with my own eyes.

Human compassion is equal to human cruelty, and it is up to each of us to tip the balance.

I don't focus on criticism. I prefer to praise people and the world, rather than criticize them and it.

Our mothers and grandmothers ... moving to music not yet written.

'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say.