This ain't fun. But you watch me, I'll get it done.

Life is not a spectator sport.

Negroes aren't seeking anything which is not good for the nation as well as ourselves. In order for America to be 100 percent strong -- economically, defensively and morally -- we cannot afford the waste of having second- and third-class citizens.

The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.

I know that I am a black man in a white world. . . I know that I never had it made.

If I had to choose between baseball’s Hall of Fame and first class citizenship for all of my people. I would say first-class citizenship.

Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.