I was unique in that I was a kind of black that white people could accept. I was their daydream. I had the worst kind of acceptance because it was never for how great I was or what I contributed. It was because of the way I looked.

Every color I can think of and nationality, we were all touched by Dr. King because he made us like each other and respect each other.

You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way.

It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it. Carry it by the comfortable handles of gratitude for what's positive and that it is not worse, rather than the uncomfortable edges of bitterness for the negatives and that it is not better.

It's so nice to get flowers while you can still smell the fragrance.

You wouldn't be allowed to get on a particular bus, but you'd be asked to sign your autograph.

I made a promise to myself to be kinder to other people.