We must change the system of education and instruction. Unfortunately, history has shown us that brotherhood must be learned, when it should be natural.

I love performing. I shall perform until the day I die.

I have never really been a great artist. I have been a human being that has loved art, which is not the same thing. But I have loved and believed in art and the idea of universal brotherhood so much, that I have put everything I have into them, and I have been blessed.

The hate directed against the colored people here in St. Louis has always given me a sad feeling... How can you expect the world to believe in you and respect your preaching of democracy when you yourself treat your colored brothers as you do?

The old Catholic parties hounded me with a Christian hatred from station to station, city to city, one stage to another.

I believe in prayer. It's the best way we have to draw strength from heaven.

Let us stop saying 'white Americans' and 'colored Americans,' let us try once and for all saying... Americans. Let human beings be equal on Earth as in Heaven.