It is true that no one can harm the person who wears armor. But no one can help him either.

...one of my motivating forces has been to recreate the world I know into a world I wish I could be in. Hence my optimism and happy endings.

The boys think they can all be athletes, and the girls think they can all be singers. That's the way to fame and success. ...as a group blacks must give up their illusions.

I sometimes think humor and satire are more effective techniques for expressing social statements than direct comment.

When you get up in the morning, you merely put on your clothes. When a colored man gets up in the morning, he puts on his armor.

First it is necessary to stand on your own two feet. But the minute a man finds himself in that position, the next thing he should do is reach out his arms.

I marvel at the many ways we, as black people, bend but do not break.