I had a probing mind and an elephant memory.

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.

If I wanted pity, I got it because I'm illegitimate. And when I didn't want it I was mean and nasty.

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.

When you dominate other people's emotions, the time has to come when you will have to pay, and heavily, for that privilege.

Asking what I considered an impossible salary when I didn't want to work for someone has boosted my pay again and again.

I was born out of wedlock. Nobody brought me up.