When I were a young man, I used to play baseball and steal bases just like Jackie Robinson. If the empire would rule me out, I would get mad and hit the empire.

Well, I like to eat, sleep, drink, and be in love. I like to work, read, learn, and understand life.

When peoples care for you and cry for you, they can straighten out your soul.

It were depression, too. They cut my wages down once at the foundry. They cut my wages down again. Then they cut my wages out, also the job.

Sometimes I wish the public were equally aware of the men of our race in the cultural fields. You, for instance, have you ever bought a book by a Negro writer?

Well, when Christ comes back this time, I hope He comes back mad His own self. I hope He drives the Jim Crowers out of their high places, every living last one of them from Washington to Texas.

An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.