I did take the blows [of life], but I took them with my chin up, in dignity, because I so profoundly love and respect humanity.

My people have a country of their own to go to if they choose... Africa... but, this America belongs to them just as much as it does to any of the white race... in some ways even more so, because they gave the sweat of their brow and their blood in slavery so that many parts of America could become prosperous and recognized in the world.

We've got to show that blacks and whites are treated equally in the army. Otherwise, what's the point of waging war on Hitler?

The secret to the fountain of youth is to think youthful thoughts.

Since I personified the savage on the stage, I tried to be as civilized as possible in daily life.

I ran away from St. Louis, and then I ran away from the United States, because of that terror of discrimination.

I wasn't really naked. I simply didn't have any clothes on.