Mom never quit on me. My only regret is that she didn't live long enough to share some of the money and comforts my work in show business has brought me.

What broke Mom's heart was realizing that her children knew nothing and cared nothing about the better side of life.

There's no hypocrisy in Hell's Kitchen.

My aunts lived on liquor and seldom felt like eating much. I don't know what's wrong about a kid stealing when he's hungry.

I learned early in life not to judge others. We outcasts are very happy and content to leave that job to our social superiors.

The white audiences thought I was white, my features being what they are, and at every performance I'd have to take off my gloves to prove I was a spade.

There was one emotional outlet my people always had when they had the blues. That was singing.