I picked up a camera because it was my choice of weapons against what I hated most about the universe: racism, intolerance, poverty. I could have just as easily picked up a knife or a gun, like many of my childhood friends did... most of whom were murdered or put in prison... but I chose not to go that way. I felt that I could somehow subdue these evils by doing something beautiful that people recognize me by, and thus make a whole different life for myself, which has proved to be so.
Gordon ParksI have never known anyone important enough to consume me in anger beyond a few hours. Better to depart their existence before they poison your own.
Gordon ParksThe guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and unknown, who is unafraid of failure, will succeed.
Gordon ParksI was there less than a year before I was assigned to the Paris bureau. I spent two years there and, in fact, before I even went on the staff I was sent to Europe to do assignments which they wouldn't normally do for a young photographer just starting out.
Gordon Parks