The white imagination is sure something when it comes to blacks.

One dance had made me the most famous colored woman in the world.

I think they must mix blood, otherwise the human race is bound to degenerate. Mixing blood is marvelous. It makes strong and intelligent men. It takes away tired spirits.

He was my cream, and I was his coffee - And when you poured us together, it was something.

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.

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.

A violinist had a violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for.