I really do hate to sing.

I had my schooling right there in the Cotton Club.

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

Malcolm X raised my consciousness about myself and my people and other people more than any person I know. I knew him before he became Malcolm X.

I was lucky, as many of my generation was, in having a man like Dr. King in our lives. He came at a time that we needed to take a long look at each other and see how similar we were.

After I got over the terrible pain of having something of mine taken from me, I began to think how bad everybody else must be feeling. It wasn't a nice time.

As much as I try, when I open my mouth, Lena comes out, And I get so mad.